She struggled to free herself, but he leered evilly upon her, no whit discomposed by her endeavours.

Though short of stature, he was a man of considerable bodily strength, and she, though tall, was slight of frame.

He released her wrist, and before she realized what he was about he had stooped, passed an arm behind her knees, another round her waist, and, swinging her from her feet, took her up bodily in his arms.

He turned about, and a scream broke from her.
"Hold!" cried Richard.

"Hold, you madman!" "Keep off, or I'll make an end of you before I go," roared Blake over his shoulder, for already he had turned about and was making for the window, apparently no more hindered by his burden than had she been a doll.
Richard sprang to the door.