22 STABLE SECEETS. 



called;" a third "believed lie was wanted;" but where, by 

 whom, or concerning what, did not appear. A fourth " couldn't 

 stay;" a fifth discovered the immediate necessity of going, and 

 in a few seconds Puffy Doddles, still occupying an attitude 

 especially adapted both for offence and defence, found himself 

 alone, master of the position, without an individual member of the 

 hostile forces in sight. From that moment Robert Top's best 

 lad might date his complete immunity from Mr. Trigg's taunts 

 and sarcasm ; and, if not regarded with absolute fear, he felt 

 that his appeal to physical force had produced an impression 

 closely allied to that respectful feeling. 



Puffy Doddles strode from the scene of his triumph with 

 a corresponding confidence of the Third Richard, when he 

 announced unequivocally that " he was himself again." 



" I've settled their business," said Puffy Doddles, and, as 

 evidence of inward satisfaction at the settlement, forthwith 

 commenced warbling a few lines of that favourite ballad of his : 



" Of all the gals that are so smar-r-rt, 

 There's none like pretty Sally ; 

 She is the darling of my hear-r-rt ; 

 And she lives in our allej 7 ." 



" Have ye got a lock of her hair 1 " interrupted a voice ; 

 and upon turning to the spot whence the interrogatory came, 

 Puffy Doddles perceived the form of George Spindles looming 

 in the perspective. "Have ye got a lock of her hair?" re- 

 peated the head lad of the Great Stable of the North, with the 

 corners of his mouth drawn back, and exhibiting the outward 

 effects of an inward explosion of laughter, unaccompanied by 

 the smallest audible sound. 



Puffy Doddles admitted that he did not possess the graceful 

 token of affection from the particular young lady referred to, 

 and that, in fact, she was litttle more than an airy nothing, or 

 a name. 



"No Sal in the case, eh ?" rejoined George Spindles. 



