“You need more training, hah?” Dunger rasped. “Hold him, Pig Eye.” He unhooked his club and swung it loosely in his hand, glancing around. We were near the trees by the drive. There was no one in sight except the crews near the Bolo and a group by the front of the palace. Pig Eye gave my arm a twist and shifted his grip to his old favorite strangle hold. I was hoping he would.

Dunger whipped the club up, and I grabbed Pig Eye’s arm with both hands and leaned forward like a Japanese admiral reporting to the Emperor. Pig Eye went up and over just in time to catch Dunger’s club across the back. They went down together. I went for the club, but Whiskers was faster than he looked. He rolled clear, got to his knees, and laid it across my left arm, just below the shoulder.

I heard the bone go…

I was back on my feet, somehow. Pig Eye lay sprawled before me. I heard him whining as though from a great distance. Dunger stood six feet away, the ring of black beard spread in a grin like a hyena smelling dead meat.

“His back’s broke,” he said. “Hell of a sound he’s making. I been waiting for you; I wanted you to hear it.”

“I’ve heard it,” I managed. My voice seemed to be coming off a worn sound track. “Surprised… you didn’t work me over… while I was busy with the arm.”

“Uh-uh. I like a man to know what’s going on when I work him over.” He stepped in, rapped the broken arm lightly with the club. Fiery agony choked a groan off in my throat. I backed a step; he stalked me.

“Pig Eye wasn’t much, but he was my pal. When I’m through with you, I’ll have to kill him. A man with a broken back’s no use to nobody. His’ll be finished pretty soon now, but not with you. You’ll be around a long time yet; but I’ll get a lot of fun out of you before the Baron gets back.”

I was under the trees now. I had some wild thoughts about grabbing up a club of my own, but they were just thoughts. Dunger set himself and his eyes dropped to my belly. I didn’t wait for it; I lunged at him. He laughed and stepped back, and the club cracked my head. Not hard; just enough to send me down. I got my legs under me and started to get up—

There was a hint of motion from the shadows behind Dunger. I shook my head to cover any expression that might have showed, let myself drop back.

“Get up,” Dunger said. The smile was gone now. He aimed a kick. “Get up—”