But, to Stuart's astonishment, his foe was too formidable to conquer. Louie had gained the advantage by his surprise attack. Stuart, with his superior physique, should have offset that advantage. But he could not.
Stuart was a capable wrestler, but the Filipino was a master of jujutsu. They struggled back and forth, Stuart's teeth grating and his breath coming fiercely. Louie's wiry arms were controlling him, twisting him sidewise, despite Stuart's most strenuous efforts.
Stuart realized that he was being drawn into some hold that would give the Filipino the advantage. To prevent this, he wrestled one arm free, and tried to swing his opponent to the floor. That proved to be the very thing that Louie had desired. Twisting suddenly, the Filipino raised Stuart's body upward, and flung him headlong.
Stuart lost his hold as he somersaulted through the air. He felt a terrific impact against the back of his neck. For a moment he lay prone, his arms sprawled helplessly. Then he shot his hands upward and seized Louie's body.
The lithe Filipino countered the attack. He was twisting again, and under his expert efforts, Stuart's arms were pinioned beneath his own back. Staring straight upward through the eyeholes of his tight bandanna mask, Stuart saw the gleam of a knife blade in the Filipino's hand.
The blow which Stuart had received had weakened him for the instant; now, with death close at hand, he broke loose with his right hand, and clutched at the descending wrist. The action stopped the downward stroke.
Then Louie's left hand struck Stuart's arm, and the Filipino's left knee settled the defense.
Stuart was pinioned again, helpless, despite his writhing.
The Filipino's left hand was planted firmly against Stuart's mask. The fingers dug through the eyeholes. Stuart could see nothing now — but he knew that the murderous blade was aiming for his throat. No action of his own could have saved Stuart at that instant. He was utterly at Louie's mercy. A second was all that the Filipino needed to drive the knife blade home and end the life of this intrepid man. Stuart was closer to death than he had ever been — even when he had been trapped in the fiery house in Maryland!
It was the unexpected that brought the rescue. The knife stroke never fell. The brutal, boring fingers were suddenly withdrawn from Stuart's eyes.