I shook him until his collar broke away and his shirt-front flew open, shook him until from his limp body there seemed no longer any shadow of resistance.

Then I flung him a little away from me, watching all the time, though, to see that his hand did not move towards that pocket.
"Tapilow," I cried, "defend yourself, you coward! Do you want me to strangle you where you stand ?" He came for me then with the frenzy of a man who is in a desperate strait.

He was as strong as I, and he had the advantage in height.

For a moment I was borne back.

He struck me heavily upon the face, and I made no attempt to defend myself.