He noiselessly descended from his perch, dressed himself with all possible dispatch, all excepting his boots; then quietly unlocking his door, opened it a crack, and stood there in the dark waiting.
His mind was made up to do a bold thing.
His weariness and illness were all forgotten; his nerves were steady and quiet, and the strength of a Samson seemed quivering in every muscle.
He waited perhaps fifteen minutes, when he heard the key turn in the door of the room on his right.
Another moment and the wretch whom he had seen there came forth and took a preliminary survey of the hall before proceeding further.
How he expected to get out of the hotel at that hour of the night without being discovered, particularly when he had three flights of stairs and as many halls to traverse, was a point Earle did not allow himself time to consider.
The man, apparently satisfied that there was nothing to impede his progress, glided velvet-shod over the soft carpet.
Earle allowed him to get well past his door, then, stealing out without a sound, he crept up behind him and hit out square from his shoulder a tremendous blow, which taking his prey just behind the ear, doubled him up in an instant.
He caught him in his arms before he could fall to the floor, for he had no desire to make any disturbance at that hour of the night, and then by main strength half carried, half dragged him back into the room he had occupied, laid him upon the floor, and locked him in.
Not a sleeper had been aroused.