The second blow also went true.
Now the count recovered himself with an effort, and lowering his head, charged directly at Jack. The latter would have stepped nimbly out of the way and avoided the rush had it not been for the prostrate form of the Russian over which he tripped now. Count Blowinski threw his arms about Jack and hugged him in a tight embrace.
The breath was all but squeezed from Jack’s body and it seemed that his ribs must crack. Had the count been able to retain the pressure another moment, Jack must have collapsed. Fortunately, however, the count’s breath also gave out and he was forced to release his hold.
Jack sprang back gasping for breath, even as Frank leaped upon the count from behind and clasped his fingers in his throat.
With a fierce roar of rage, the count wheeled upon Frank, broke loose the lad’s hold, and before Jack could come to his chum’s assistance, had hurled the lad clear across the room. Frank’s head struck the edge of a table with a terrible force and he dropped to the floor unconscious. Thus had the count been able to dispose of a second of his foes.
He now turned just in time to meet Jack’s rush.
But Jack had decided by this time that it was foolish to close with the count, who was possessed of tremendous strength. The lad had laid his plans carefully as he was momentarily recovering from the count’s last embrace. He had determined to hold his opponent off at arm’s length, if possible.
For a time, it seemed that Jack would succeed. As the count came forward, Jack crouched, and sent a hard right hand blow to the count’s nose. Apparently the count didn’t think much of this style of fighting, for he rushed forward.
This time Jack was able to sidestep nimbly and he floored the count with a well-directed right blow just above the ear as he passed. He sprang forward to take advantage of this opening, but the count suddenly reached out and grabbed the lad by the legs.
Jack tumbled over on top of his foe.