Last of all the Individual, who had divested himself of his outer coat and whose powerful proportions did not escape Israel Kafka's observation.

It was clear that if there were a struggle it could have but one issue.

Kafka would be overpowered.

His knowledge of the disposition of the plants and trees offered him a hope of escape.
The three men had entered the conservatory, and if he could reach the door before they noticed him, he could lock it upon them, as it had been locked upon himself.

He could hear their footsteps on the marble pavement very near him, and he caught glimpses of their moving figures through the thick leaves.
With cat-like tread he glided along in the shadows of the foliage until he could see the door.