e was about all in, hanging on and panting and
sobbing for breath in the clinches, and I knew I could put him out any
time. I drew back my right for the short-arm jab that would do the
business. He knew it was coming, and he was powerless to prevent it.

"For the love of God, Bob," he said; and--[Pause.]

MAUD. Yes? Yes?

FITZSIMMONS. I held back the blow. We were in a clinch.

"For the love of God, Bob," he said again, "the misses and the kiddies!"

And right there I saw and knew it all. I saw the hungry children asleep,
and the missus sitting up and waiting for Bill to come home, waiting to
know whether they were to have food to eat or be thrown out in the
street.

"Bill," I said, in the next clinch, so low only he could hear. "Bill,
remember the La Blanche swing. Give it to me, hard."

We broke away, and he was tottering and groggy. He staggered away and
started to whirl the swing. I saw it coming. I made believe I didn't
and started after him in a rush. Biff! It caught me on the jaw, and I
went down. I was young and strong. I could eat punishment. I could
have got up the first second. But I lay there and let them count me out.
And making believe I was still dazed, I let them carry me to my corner
and work to bring me to. [Pause.]

Well, I faked that fight.

MAUD. [Springing to him and shaking his hand.] Thank God! Oh! You are
a man! A--a--a hero!

FITZSIMMONS. [Dryly, feeling in his pocket.] Let's have a smoke. [He
fails to find cigarette case.]

MAUD. I can't tell you how glad I am you told me that.

FITZSIMMONS. [Gruffly.] Forget it. [He looks on table, and fails to
find cigarette case. Looks at her suspiciously, then crosses to desk at
right and reaches for telephone.]

MAUD. [Curiously.] What are you going to do?

FITZSIMMONS. Call the police.

MAUD. What for?

FITZSIMMONS. For you.

MAUD. For me?

FITZSIMMONS. You are not Harry Jones. And not only are you an impostor,
but you are a thief.

MAUD. [Indignantly.] How dare you?

FITZSIMMONS. You have stolen my cigarette case.

MAUD. [Remembering and taken aback, pulls out cigarette case.] Here it
is.

FITZSIMMONS. Too late. It won't save you. This club must be kept
respectable. Thieves cannot be tolerated.

MAUD. [Growing alarm.] But you won't have me arrested?

FITZSIMMONS. I certainly will.

MAUD. [Pleadingly.] Please! Please!

FITZSIMMONS. [Obdurately.] I see no reason wh