“Now or never was the time to strike. Grasping my cudgel more firmly, I raised it over my head. The back of the Bodymaster was turned toward me. I had him off his guard. I was about to bring the club down across his head when, without turning his gaze, he spoke:
“‘Sit down, my friend, and throw your cane aside. You can not strike. Your arm is palsied.’
“The cane dropped from my fingers. I attempted to lower my arm to recover it. Impossible. I was unable to move. My arm was held aloft as by an unseen hand.
“The Bodymaster turned toward me with a smile.
“‘Sit down!’ he commanded.
“My arm dropped to my side. Like a drunken man I staggered to a chair.”
CHAPTER VII.
“Seating himself opposite me, Lessman pushed a box of cigars across the table.
“‘Help yourself,’ he smiled, selecting one for himself. ‘You are some sixty seconds ahead of time. I hardly expected you to be so prompt.’
“‘Expected me!’ I ejaculated.