He reached toward his boot, but judged there were too many witnesses for knife work and rushed in suddenly, yelling something in Greek to Coutlass as he picked up a chair to brain the guard with.

He swung the chair, but the guard met it with another one, dodged him, and tripped him as he passed.

In another second it was his turn to be kicked in the ribs until he yelled for mercy.

(An extra large dinner and all those assorted drinks in addition to what they had had in the train made neither man's wind good.) No mercy was forthcoming.

He was kicked, more and more violently, until the need of crawling through the door to safety dawned on his muddled wits and he made his exit from the room snake fashion.