His automatic flew from his hand and struck against the wall.

Unarmed, he sprang back toward the open door--full into the arms of Quade! Aldous knew that it was Quade and not Culver Rann, and he struck out with all the force he could gather in a short-arm blow.

His fist landed against Quade's thick neck.

Again and again he struck, and Quade's grip loosened.
In another moment he would have reached the door if Rann had not caught him from behind.

Never had Aldous felt the clutch of hands like those of the womanish hands of Culver Rann.