“Are you out o’ your head?” demanded the Chief. “He ain’t got a mark on him!”
“I ain’t—got enough,” panted Braun, “till he’s got—enough!”
His breath was coming in soblike gasps, the result of body blows. It hadn’t been a fight but a beating, administered by Haney. But Braun struggled to get up.
Mike the midget said brittlely: “You got enough, Haney. You’re satisfied. Tell him so.”
“Sure I’m satisfied,” snorted Haney. “I don’t want to hit him any more. I got enough of that!”
Braun panted: “Okay! Okay!”
The Chief let him get to his feet. He went groggily to his coat. He tried to put himself into it. Mike caught Joe’s eye and nodded meaningfully. Joe helped Braun into the coat. There was silence, save for Braun’s heavy, labored breathing.
He moved unsteadily toward the door. Then he stopped.
“Haney,” he said effortfully, “I don’t say I’m sorry for fighting you today. I fight first. But now I say I am sorry. You are good guy, Haney. I was crazy. I—got reason.”
He stumbled out of the door and was gone. The four who were left behind stared at each other.