"What was that telephone number you just called?" Black Hood persisted.
Burkey's eyes rolled. "I can't tell you. The Eye would kill me if I told."
Black Hood laughed harshly. "And what do you think I'm going to do if you don't talk?"
Burkey said nothing.
Black Hood got off the man, stood up. He told Burkey to get to his feet.
"And you'd better get your fists up, Burkey, because if you don't I'm liable to knock your head off."
Possibly Burkey knew something about boxing. Possibly he had gone a round or two with some second rate slugger some time in his life. But certainly he had never fought with anybody who could equal the Black Hood in speed and fire power. Black Hood's fists were everywhere at once. His long arms were like rapiers, striking through Burkey's guard to land time after time in the big man's face.
Finally, Burkey crumpled against the wall, one eye closed, the other looking sleepy. Blood was dripping from nose and mouth.
"Talk!" Black Hood demanded, one closed fist raised like a hammer above the man's head.
Burkey simply shook his head feebly and collapsed, unconscious.