“Maybe you’re right, Babe. I’ll talk to Charlie about it. But gee, I hate to face him after what we just went through in the dressin’ room. He said some pretty awful things about you, Babe.”

“Well, you don’t believe them, do you?”

“Of course not, honey. I told him where he got off.”

“Well, see him tomorrow anyway. He’ll be sorry for what he said then.”

“Sure he will,” Joe Malone put in. “Charlie’s a good guy at heart.”

Bearcat looked Charlie up at the Nelson the next day. His manager’s anger had melted away overnight, but his manner was decidedly chilly as he opened the door of his room to greet the near champion.

The Bearcat was embarrassed as to how to begin.

“Charlie,” he said nervously, “I-I wasn’t feelin’ myself when I went in there last night.”

“You tellin’ me somethin’?” Charlie inquired, frigidly.

“Now listen, Charlie. I mean I wasn’t sleepin’ right the last few nights before the fight. An’ I think I overtrained.”

Charlie took his cigar from his mouth.

“Overtrained? The trouble was you didn’t train enough.”

“Well, anyway, whatever it was, I felt knotted up and stiff-like and couldn’t get up steam. But, Charlie, when I’m right I can put him in the shade in no time. I had him goin’ till the sixth round. You saw that. If I was feelin’ myself I would’ve knocked him out sure. Can’t you get me another match with him, Charlie? I know I can lick him next time. I’ll be in the gym every day with you watchin’, and I’ll hit the hay regular. Can’t you say I was sick—had a touch of ptomaine poisonin’ and now that I been to the hospital I’m a hundred per cent again? Tell ’em I was battlin’ under a handicap in the last fight, really too sick to put up my mits.”

“Time to ‘a’ thought of that was before the fight. I never handled an alibi fighter in my life and I won’t now.” There was a steel ring in Charlie’s voice. “I told you how I felt about things. I don’t see anythin’ more for you and me. Time for us to wash up.”

The Bearcat stood silent for a moment. Charlie’s rebuff had stung him deeply. He swallowed his pride and said:

“Don’t say that, Charlie. Fix me up some fights until I show you and everybody I got plenty left to whip the champ and to spare.”

“All right.” An impatient frown deepened on Charlie’s forehead. “I’ll fix you to fight Sailor Reagan, week from now at the Coliseum. He’s tough and fast. Just the boy to get the ptomaine out of your system.”

Bearcat overlooked the cutting insinuation on account of the gratitude that swept over him.