"I tell you, you're a fool. They let you guinea pigs out easy with morphine or cocaine. It's a real treat."
Dugan said, "I don't want it." He was getting information by the split second.
The Russian hoisted one side of his rump on the table, tightened his grip on the gun, and said, "If you don't tell me your number, I'll shoot you now. Way, way down in the belly, where it will hurt a lot before you die." Suddenly he roared at Dugan, "Number!"
"Thirty-seven, rear section," said Dugan at random. The Russian stared at him. "There's no such number. Are you sure you're a guinea pig?"
Dugan said nothing until he felt that the man's amazement had probably produced adrenal effects. Then he spoke, quietly: "Call and find out. Who are you?"
"I'm the overseer of scientists but — Shut up! Who are you?" It was not a question but a cry. The man had been driven into excitement at last.
Not for nothing was Dugan a Hachi-dan of Kodokan, an Eighth-level Expert in the outstanding Japanese school of wrestling. His foot came up at what seemed an impossible angle. It rose with tremendous speed. The gun jumped out of the Russian's hand and clattered loudly against the wall. But it didn't go off. The Russian started to get into position for a fight, but Dugan was on top of him before he could move more than a few centimeters. Both men dropped their towels and stood for a mortal moment like antique Greek wrestlers.
Dugan pulled the head back and back and back. The Russian had been a brave man, but it was all over with him now. On an impulse, Dugan put his mouth close to the man's ear, hoping he might be conscious. The Russian was entitled to know why he died.
"My name," said Major Dugan, "is Colonel Andrew Smith, and I am a British spy."
Then he made the fourth Avoidable Twist, against which the Japanese wrestlers had warned him. He saw the Russian's eyes roll in understanding of the message just before the neck snapped.