sought a haven on
his shoulder. Corrigan had been stunned and wanted no more long range
work. He tried to lock his big arms around the other's waist in an attempt
to wrestle, realizing that in that sort of a contest lay his only hope of
victory, but Trevison, agile, alert to his danger, slipped elusively from
the grasping hands and thudded uppercuts to the other's mouth and jaws
that landed with sickening force. But none of the blows landed on a vital
spot, and Corrigan hung grimly on.

At last, lashing viciously, wriggling, squirming, swinging around in a
wide circle to get out of Corrigan's clutches, Trevison broke the clinch
and stood off, breathing heavily, summoning his reserve strength for a
finishing blow. Corrigan had been fearfully punished during the last few
minutes, but he was gradually recovering from his dizziness, and he
grinned hideously at Trevison through his smashed lips. He surged forward,
reminding Trevison of a wounded bear, but Trevison retreated warily as he
measured the distance from which he would drive the blow that would end
it

He was still retreating, describing a wide circle. He swung around toward
the door through which Braman had gone--his back was toward it. He did not
see the door open slightly as he passed; he had not seen Braman's face in
the slight crevice that had been between door and jamb all along. Nor did
he see the banker jab at his legs with the handle of a broom. But he felt
the handle hit his legs. It tripped him, forcing him to lose his balance.
As he fell he saw Corrigan's eyes brighten, and he twisted sideways to
escape a heavy blow that Corrigan aimed at him. He only partially evaded
it--it struck him glancingly, a little to the left of the chin, stunning
him, and he fell awkwardly, his left arm doubling under him. The agonizing
pain that shot through the arm as he crumpled to the floor told him that
it had been broken at the wrist. A queer stupor came upon him, during
which he neither felt nor saw. Dimly, he sensed that Corrigan was striking
at him; with a sort of vague half-consciousness he felt that the blows
were landing. But they did not hurt, and he laughed at Corrigan's futile
efforts. The only feeling he had was a blind rage against Braman, for he
was certain that it had been the banker who had tripped him. Then he saw
the broom on the floor and the crevice in the doorway. He got to his feet
some way, Corrigan hanging to him, raining blows upon him, and he laugh