The blow lifted Kalinski off his feet, laying him flat on his back in the gutter.
"Back off!" commanded Steve, in a voice of authority. "You have done your duty as you saw it, and I guess a little more."
"Liar! Liar!" shrieked the Polish boy, hopping about the fallen man, waving his arms, almost beside himself with unholy joy.
"Take this boy away!" commanded Rush, as he bent over and assisted Kalinski to his feet. "I'm sorry, Kalinski, but I guess you got what you deserved. Bob, how did this thing start?"
"In the first place Kalinski was fighting with Ignatz——"
"He—he started it, the——" interrupted Kalinski.
"Don't say anything you will be sorry for," interjected Steve.
"After he had knocked Brodsky down he began kicking the boy, and with the entire approval of the crowd," added Jarvis. "Wouldn't you have sailed into him if you had been in my place?"
"I should have been a coward if I had not. And now, Kalinski, I have a few words to say to you. You have used us about as shabbily as one person could use another. We are even now; you have got what you deserve, but hereafter keep away from us. Don't you dare speak to either of us. Try any tricks and it will be the worse for you. Now get out of here!"
Steve gave the Pole a shove, Kalinski hurrying away as fast as his weakened legs would carry him, the fellow uttering threats and shaking his fists as he went.