THE LAST BREATH

The first to attack was Das; he threw a fist that turned the policeman's guard, connecting with his chin, but he also received a right from his opponent. He tried to knee him in the ribs, but the policeman rushed at him, grabbing him and inflicting force. They engaged in the oldest fight, that of sumo; they tried to push each other and also to trip each other. Both calculated that they could not win in a battle of blows. Whereas the battle would be decided by attrition, they needed to knock out their opponent long enough to grab one of the pistols.

This, too, failed despite knocks on the door accompanied by warnings: “We are the national police; you must open up.”

The scales tipped against Das, who tried not to let his rival answer, but he did not succeed. The traitor shouted for help, which led to the door being knocked down, where a group of policemen entered, pointing their guns and ordering that no one should move.

Das raised his arms, remained silent, and understood that he was l