"In whatever way I am attacked, I must not let slip this unique chance to learn the truth! I must seize the attacker at all costs, and leap to the electric switch, turn on the light—and I shall be saved! Saved!..."
Without a cry, without a warning sound, without a moment's time to cope with the violence of the attack, Fandor felt a cloth over his face, strong hands on his throat, a heavy weight crushing his chest.
"I am lost!" flashed through his mind.
"I mean to find out the truth!" his will declared.
With all the force of resistant muscle and will he disengaged himself from the power crushing him to death; seized an arm by chance, hung on to it, gripped it, threw off the man, ran to the switch, shouting:
"Help!"
Again, Fandor thought he was done for: the switch acted, but no light flashed forth!
They had cut the wire!
Men were holding on to him: their grip was tightening!
A voice gave a strangled cry.