What if the ruffian threw him into the river?
What if--and then like every coward, he chose the remoter danger.

With Claude at hand, he turned and fled, dashed blindly through the passers on the bridge, flung himself on Basterga, and, seizing the big scholar by the arm, strove to shelter himself behind him.
"He is mad!" he gasped.

"Mad! Save me! He is going to throw me over!" "Steady!" Basterga answered; and he opposed his huge form to Claude's rush.

"What is this, young man?
Coming to blows in the street?
For shame! For shame!" He moved again so as still to confront him.
"Give him up!" Claude panted, scarcely preventing himself from attacking both.

"Give him up, I say, and----" "Not till I have heard what he has done! Steady, young man, keep your distance!" "I will tell you everything! Everything!" Louis whined, clinging to his arm.
"Do you hear what he says ?" Basterga replied.