Fish looked across the table into Archer’s face and recognized there an expression different from that worn by the challenger to an amicable rough-and-tumble. He had no mind for a serious set-to with the vanquisher of the redoubtable boxer Runyon, neither did he wish to retire tamely before a mere threat.
“Get out yourself!” he answered. “It isn’t your room.”
“No, it’s Fowle’s room, and he wants you out of it. You know well enough that rough-housing will fire him. I’m here in his place. Now, beat it!”
“I’ll go when I get ready,” growled Fish in return.
They began circling the table. As Fish passed the door, he slammed it to. When Sam reached it, he opened it again and shoved a heavy arm-chair against it. Then he removed the lamp to the mantelpiece, and made another half turn round the table. This movement brought Fish near the door again. He stooped over to swing aside the arm-chair which kept the door open, and at the same moment Sam vaulted the barrier.
As Fish beheld his assailant’s long legs swinging over the edge of the table in a hurdler’s leap, and the sinewy body bearing down upon him, it flashed into his brain, and from his brain with instantaneous impulse into nerves and muscles, that by dodging the frontal attack and delivering an immediate rear charge, he could put Archer himself out of the room and close the door upon him. His dodge, however, was not quite quick -----File: 249.png—- -----File: 250.png—- enough. The hurdler came down with long arms flying, and one of these flying arms, or the clenched fist attached to it, as it swung up, caught the ducking Fish under the eye. It was an unintentional blow, but it had force, and Fish went back against the door-post, for a moment dazed. When he got to his feet again, he found himself in the entry. The door was locked behind him; over the banisters he beheld the head of the descending Archer.
At the same moment Sam vaulted the barrier.—[Page 228].
On the second floor at the foot of the stairs Mr. Alsop was standing, peering suspiciously upwards. “Another disturbance in Fowle’s room, I judge,” he said, frowning.
“I’ll explain, sir, if you’ll let me,” said Sam, breathing hard. “Won’t you come in here?”