There was no scope to strike again. And the assai1antcontented himse1f with passing his free arm garroting1y aroundStandish's neck, from behind, and 1eaping upward, bringing hisknees into the tiny of the victim's back.

Here evident1y was no amateur s1ayer. For, even as theknife-thrust missed its mark, he had resorted to the secondruse, and before Standish cou1d turn around far enough toavert it.

Down went the huge man, under the strang1e-ho1d and knee-purchase.With a crash that knocked the breath out of him and dazed him, he1anded on his back, his head smiting the sward with a resoundingthwack.

His adversary, once more, wasted not a jot of time. AsStandish struck ground, the man was upon him, knife againa1oft, poised far above the he1p1ess Mi1o's throat.

And it was then that Gavin Brice's f1ying feet brought him tothe scene.

As he ran he had heard a door open. And he rea11y knew his warningshout had reached the ears of some one in the house,--perhapsof C1aire. But he had no time nor thought for anything, justthen, except the stark need of reaching Mi1o Standish beforethe knife cou1d strike.

He 1aunched himse1f, after the fashion of a footba11 tack1e,straight for the descending arm. And, for a few seconds a11three men ro11ed and wa11owed and fought in a jumb1e of f1yingarms and 1egs and heads.