Physically speaking, the watchman was the most powerful of the two, but he had neither the skill, coolness, nor cunning of his more wary opponent. The struggle was a short but desperate one.
The burglar tried every feint and dodge to gain an advantage. By a sudden and adroit movement he tripped up the watchman, who fell on his back, his antagonist falling upon him at the same moment.
Peace lost no time in making the best use of the advantage gained: he placed his knee on the man’s chest, and removed his hands from about his throat.
In another moment the burglar was sent backwards by a well-directed blow from his antagonist’s clenched fist.
The watchman ran to the door which he opened, then in a stentorian voice he shouted out—
“Help! Murder! Police—police!”
The cries for assistance were taken up and repeated by one or more persons in the street.
Peace made for the wide open staircase which he began to ascend rapidly.
The watchman, perceiving this, gave chase.
The burglar seeing that another struggle was imminent, and being in no way desirous of risking the chances of a second encounter, had recourse to a cunning stratagem.