Be that as it may, it was a disturbance calling for instant suppression, and the idea of Riddell going to suppress it was ridiculous even to himself.
He opened the door, unnoticed by the combatants within both on account of the noise and the dust.

It was impossible to tell what the fight was about; the blood on both sides was evidently up, and the battle, it was clear, was anything but a mock one.

Riddell stood there for some time a bewildered and unrecognised spectator.

It would be useless for him to attempt to make himself heard above all the din, and worse than useless to attempt single-handed to interpose between the combatants.

The only thing to do seemed to be to wait till the battle was over.