Blick's right hand dropped in a twinkling to the right side pocket of his top-coat.
Both hands now flashed into sight, each holding a revolver.
Coolly enough now, but with incredible swiftness, the stranger aimed his left-hand weapon at Lieutenant Prescott.
At the same instant Soldier Hal leaped from behind, wrapping both his arms around Blick's neck and dragging him swiftly backward.
Bang!
The revolver was discharged, but the bullet, owing to Blick's going over backward, struck a wall.
Surely Blick must have possessed all the strength and ferocity of the mountain lion.
Though Hal Overton thought he had his man headed for a crashing fall to the floor, the fellow managed to squirm out of that clutch as though by magic.
Then Soldier Hal found himself staring into both muzzles of the desperate fellow's pistols.
Hal knew it was time for him to shoot, but found he was not as swift at the game as was the justly dreaded Blick.