“You are joking, doctor.”
The “doctor’s” false beard and wig were off in an instant, and Nick Carter stood revealed.
Regardless of the weapon held within an inch of his face, Nixon, wild with rage, sprang at the detective.
Nick did not care to use his revolver and so attract the attention of the police and the people in the house.
He grappled with his assailant, and the two men rolled on the carpet together.
Nixon was a muscular fellow, and he now fought with all the cunning and all the fierce strength of a maniac.
He had a knife in his possession, and he exerted himself to the utmost to bring it into use.
Nick knew the danger he was in, and tried hard to bring the fight to a sudden close.
Not only his own life, but that of his assistant also depended upon his exertions.
In a moment the struggling men heard steps in the hall, and then the door of the room was thrown open.