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Grant took the papers from the manager, filled in the blanks and signed.

“Don’t talk much, this Doc Lane,” said Slag. “Should I show him, Teagle?”

“Sure thing. Watch this practice, Doc.”

The big man concentrated on the amber bottle beside him. Slowly, jerkily, it lifted—one inch, then two. Slag relaxed, and watched it ring as it fell to the table. “My job when I retire,” he said. “Got to pour it right into the glass. Pretty hot, eh?”

Grant gave no warning. The man’s trousers were deluged as the glass shattered in his hand. He leaped up cursing, and then moved quickly and with ugly purpose toward his visitors.

“Careful, boy,” warned Teagle. “There’s a dame present.”

For fifteen seconds Grant’s eyes were locked with Slag’s. He looked into their red-rimmed hatred, fought to see the depths of the man. Then, just before the other turned away, an unreasoning, unexpected emotion surged in Grant. It swept over and left him shaken, all in that instant.

The emotion was fear.

Out on the court it was anger he felt, anger at Slag, who stood opposite and bowed to the noisy throng, anger at Teagle, who chanted insults until ordered behind the second’s shield, at the spectators, packing the Colliseum in hopes of seeing a player maimed or killed—and Bee Anthony, even at Bee.