"We've talked it over," he said. "Devereau and I and some of the other boys. And we've decided that there's nothing in it for any of us as the situation now stands. The title's too obscured. You claim it. So does Montague. So we've decided to offer you a match with—"
"I've challenged Montague," Perry interrupted. "He paid no attention to it."
"Not Montague," Dunham corrected silkily. "Holliday."
And instantly Perry knew what Dunham hoped to do.
"Why not Montague?" he asked.
"Why not Holliday?" countered Dunham, his voice silkier still.
And Perry couldn't very well say because Montague was a boxer first and a fighter afterward. He couldn't say because he knew they considered Holliday, young, wicked, punishing, even more certain to whip him. He hesitated.
"But you're going to whip Holliday," Dunham went on tentatively, as if sure of what was in the other's mind.
Perry watched him.
"We're going to see to that. It'll be a twenty-round fight to a decision. Somewhere in the South. But you'll stop Holliday in the eighth round."