There was a shocked silence from the others as Nesbit toppled over a chair and hit the floor with his shoulders.
The palaeontologist scrambled to his feet, his black eyes insane. He started to swing, but Matt hit him in the mouth. Nesbit reeled back, his mouth spilling blood.
"Damn you," said Nesbit. "I'll kill you for this!" He picked up a metal chair.
Matt watched the younger man like a hawk as he closed in. There was murder in Nesbit's eyes, heightened by the blood from his mouth.
Without warning, Matt kicked Nesbit's feet out from under him and then kicked him in the temple. The palaeontologist went out like a candle.
Matt didn't trouble to give Nesbit a second glance, but looked up swiftly at the three men who had accompanied the palaeontologist.
"Any more objections?"
Their faces were sick. Matt realized that the physical violence had shocked them unutterably.
"Get on back to work, then!" he snapped. "And take that crazy trouble-maker with you."
They picked up Nesbit silently and were starting to leave when Matt stopped them.