Before the larger and heavier man could fire a shot, his wrist was caught in a grip of steel.

As he staggered back under the impact, Percival's right fore-arm was jammed up under his chin.

In the fraction of a second, Landover, unable to withstand this sudden, savage onslaught, toppled over backwards and, with his assailant clinging to him like a wildcat, found himself pinned down to the spacious, inset washstand.
The revolver was discharged, the bullet burying itself in the floor.

An instant later the weapon fell from his paralysed fingers.

With his free left hand he struck wildly, frantically at Percival, but with no effect.
The broad back and shoulders of his assailant proved a barrier he could not drive past.