Slowly, Riddell advanced across the room toward him, while the noise
from below grew deafening. As he approached Barr, the small man
suddenly whipped a knife from his jacket and circled around Riddell.
"I'll kill you," Barr said.
He broke off and launched a savage leap at Riddell. The knife flashed
harmlessly through the air as Riddell sidestepped and grasped the
other's arm. The two men locked together for a moment, and Riddell
could see the hate in Barr's eyes.
[Illustration: The thud of flesh and bone felt good against his fists.]
Suddenly he knew Barr had to die. Riddell had killed in the name of
peace before.
He forced Barr back, twisting the wiry tyrant's arm until the knife
dropped. Barr squirmed and clawed viciously, but Riddell held him.
They approached the balcony. "_Don't!_" Barr yelled.
Riddell felt utterly calm as he lifted the wriggling Barr and hurled
him over the side of the balcony. A mighty roar went up.
He knew he had committed no crime, it was an execution, rather. Barr
was dead, and with his death another enemy of peace had perished.