A man who played so risky a game was probably handy with his firearms.

Besides, if he should hit the bell, he would make a hideous row and alarm the whole front.
Fate suddenly gave him the right chance.

The unseen figure stood up and moved a step, till his back was against the parados.

He actually brushed against Peter's elbow, who held his breath.
There is a catch that the Kaffirs have which would need several diagrams to explain.

It is partly a neck hold, and partly a paralysing backward twist of the right arm, but if it is practised on a man from behind, it locks him as sure as if he were handcuffed.