"Time!"

"Wait fer 'is rush, an' use yer right."

"Foller 'im up, Chook."

"Oh, dry up! I tell yer 'e slipped."

"Not in the same class, I tell yer."

"Mix it, Chook--mix it. Yer've got 'im beat."

The last remark was true, for Stinky, in spite of his superior weight
and height, was no match for Chook, the cock of Cardigan Street. It
was the fifth round, and Chook was waiting for an opening to finish his
man before the police came up, when a surprising thing happened. As
Stinky retreated in exhaustion before the fists that rattled on his
face like drumsticks, his hand struck his enemy's lower jaw by chance,
and the next minute he was amazed to see Chook drop to the ground as if
shot. And he stared with open mouth at his opponent, wondering why he
didn't move.

"Gawd, 'e's stiffened 'im!"

"I 'eard 'is neck crack!"

Stinky stood motionless, his wits scattered by this sudden change--the
stillness of his enemy, who a moment ago was beating him down with
murderous fists.

"'Ere's the johns," cried someone.

"Come on, Liz," cried Stinky, and turned to run.

"Cum with yous, yer great 'ulkin', stinkin' coward," cried Pinkey, her
face crimson with passion, "yer'll be lucky if y'ain't hung fer murder."

Stinky listened in amazement. Here was another change that he was too
dazed to understand, and, hastily grabbing his coat, he ran.

Pinkey ran to Chook's prostrate body, and listened. "I can 'ear 'im
breathin'," she cried.

The others listened, and the breathing grew louder, a curious, snoring
sound.

"Gorblimey! A knock-out!"

"'E'll be right in a few minutes."

It was true. Stinky, with a haphazard blow, had given Chook the
dreaded knock-out, a jolt beside the chin that, in the expressive
phrase, "sent him to sleep".

But now the police came up, glad of this chance to show their authority
and order the people about. The crowd melted.

Chook's mates had pulled him into a sitting position, when, to Pinkey's
delight, he opened his eyes and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"W'ere the 'ell am I?" he muttered, like a man awaking from a dream.

"What's this? You've been fighting," said the policeman.

"Me? No fear," growled Chook. "I was walkin' along, quiet as a lamb,
when a bloke come up an' landed me on the jaw."

"Well, who was he?" asked the policeman.

"I dunno. I never set eyes on 'im before," said Chook, lying without
hesitation to their common enemy, the police.

The policeman