Arnaud nodded wearily and closed his eyes. Prensky withheld a grim laugh. His lips were grimacing as he appreciated the ease with which he could now accomplish his fell purpose. His right hand stole from beneath his coat, bringing forth a long, sharp knife.
PRENSKY was noted as a swift, efficient killer. He was one who struck coldly and with calculation. His shrewd gaze sought a spot by his victim’s heart. His hand poised with the blade. He forgot the closed eyes of the weary prisoner who was to die.
Prensky’s hand tightened for the thrust. A quick drive of that sharp-pointed blade would mean quick death. As Prensky drew slightly away with his right arm, he felt Arnaud’s hand slip from his shoulder and slide slowly downward.
This was the time to strike. But as Prensky’s hand responded to his thought, the slipping hand upon his arm worked with amazing swiftness. The knife thrust stopped suddenly as Arnaud’s hand caught Prensky’s wrist with a viselike clutch.
Simultaneously, the arm that hung over Prensky’s left shoulder became active. The man in the chair was no longer playing the part of weary Henry Arnaud. He was fighting with the skill of The Shadow!
With iron clasp, The Shadow bore Prensky downward to his right, while his left hand still gripped the intended assassin’s wrist. As Prensky lost his foothold, he tumbled to the floor and rolled away from the chair. The Shadow fell upon him, never once losing his clutch.
Prensky, with grinding teeth and snarling lips, struggled like a demon. The Shadow, his fierce eyes burning, held his adversary at bay, while he uttered mocking words in Russian.
The helpless quarry had tricked the would-be killer. Prensky realized this with mad dismay. Coldly taunting as he fought, The Shadow was telling how he had foiled his enemy. For four days he had feigned helplessness while he gathered information, and his strength returned for such a fray as this!
Now, The Shadow threw all his strength into the fight. He had been prepared for this encounter — for he had overheard Motkin’s instructions to his aid. The Shadow’s hold placed Prensky at a hopeless disadvantage. But while The Shadow strove with increasing power, Prensky resisted furiously.
The Shadow’s left hand began to waver. He had evidently overtaxed himself. His endurance reached an unexpected limit.