"I've promised you scoundrels one minute of life.
I guess that minute is about up." The last word was scarcely out of his mouth when the room was in darkness--a darkness so complete and sudden that for an instant his hand faltered, and in that instant he heard the overturning of a chair and the falling of a body.

Twice his automatic sent a lightning-flash of fire where Culver Rann had sat; twice it spat threadlike ribbons of flame through the blackness where Quade had stood.

He knew what had happened, and also what to expect if he lost out now.

The curiously shaped iron lamp had concealed an electric bulb, and Rann had turned off the switch-key under the table.
He had no further time to think.

An object came hurtling through the thick gloom and fell with terrific force on his outstretched pistol arm.