"Nevertheless, if you dare lay a hand on me I shall test them. I give you fair warning."
Kneedrock laughed his irritating laugh.
"You are quite meeting my opinion of you," he said. "You are a cur and a poltroon."
The deputy commissioner's face flamed. "If you dare repeat that," he snapped, "I shall—"
"Go to the courts, I assume."
The viscount saw his fingers double into his palms. "You are a liar and a scandalmonger!" he flung at him. And at this Dinghal drew back his fist.
"Although you have the advantage," he flared, "no man may blackguard me and go unpunished!"
"My left hand is crippled," said Kneedrock. "I shall not use it." And as Dinghal aimed a blow at his chin, he guarded with his right.
The bout lasted something over four minutes, during which Kneedrock landed at will. There was no instant when he did not command.
Now and again, to encourage his adversary to face further punishment, he permitted him to get in a body blow, or accepted a glancing tap on neck or cheek. And by way of finale he broke Dinghal's somewhat protuberant nose.