It seemed as though his arms must crack; but at last they moved.

Inch by inch they were driven closer; now the elbows almost touched; now the wrists joined in reluctant contact.
The sweat broke out on the count's brow, and stood in large drops on Rudolf's.

Now the wrists were side by side, and slowly the long sinewy fingers of Rudolf's right hand, that held one wrist already in their vise, began to creep round the other.

The grip seemed to have half numbed Rupert's arms, and his struggles grew fainter.

Round both wrists the sinewy fingers climbed and coiled; gradually and timidly the grasp of the other hand was relaxed and withdrawn.