A pallidly glaring and shaking man, leaning against the veranda rail for support, had an oddly familiar scent and appearance to Laddie.
The collie stepped forward to investigate.

The nerve-smashed Higham saw him coming; and thrust out one gloved hand in frightened rebuff.
The flicking gesture was unpleasantly like a blow.

As the menacing hand slapped toward his jaws, Lad caught at it, in wary self-defense.
He recalled this man, now.

He remembered he had been bidden to "watch" him.

He did not spring at his assailant.