jerked the angry clown to his feet.

"Well, sir, what have you to say for yourself?" demanded Miaco,
gazing at the other sternly.

"This no business of yours," growled Diaz.

"That remains to be seen. I'll decide whether it is any of my
affair or not. Phil, what does this mean?"

"Just a little matter between ourselves. Thank you for helping
me out."

"Did he attack you, Phil?"

"He did, but he no doubt thought he had sufficient provocation.
Perhaps we should not be too hard on Mr. Diaz."

"Then the best thing to do is to tell Mr. Sparling. I--"

"Please don't do anything of the sort," begged Phil. "In the
first place, Diaz's anger was directed against Teddy, and I had
to mix myself in their quarrel. Teddy did something to him a
few weeks ago that made the clown very angry, and I don't
blame Diaz."

"Was there any excuse for his pitching into you in this manner?"

"Well," laughed Phil, "perhaps the situation did not demand
exactly that sort of treatment."