He again seized the boy by the throat, and dragged him toward the window. Al was by no means a weakling, but he was absolutely powerless in the grasp of his frenzied assailant.
With one hand Farley held his intended victim, while with the other he threw up the window sash.
"No one in the street below," he hissed, "is looking, and if they were they could not see us. When your body is found, your death will be considered an accident."
Al now lay on his back upon the sill; half his body was out of the window. Apparently the villain's object was almost accomplished, and in a few seconds the boy's mutilated body would be lying upon the pavement below.
"I never knew before," said Farley, "how sweet revenge was."
"You won't know just yet," said Al, "if I can help it."
As he spoke, realizing his extreme peril, he made one last, desperate effort, exerting all his strength, and succeeded in regaining his footing.
The struggle was renewed, but it seemed certain that it must result in the boy's defeat.
Suddenly, however, Farley released his hold on Al and rushed to the opposite side of the room, crying:
"Interfere, will you?"