He seemed to have the agility as well as the semblance of a carnivorous animal.

He bounded sideways towards the wall of the library, picked up the writing-desk, and barricaded himself behind it.
In the same second he produced a small, shining article from his waistcoat pocket, and shouted, in a voice now cracked with rage: "Stand back, all of you.

You may shoot me! I will not be arrested!" Winter, swearing, scrambled from the floor.

Robert, too, threw off the yelling servant, and rose to his feet.

Alarmed not only by the curious entry made by David Hume and Holden, but also by the racket in the library, other servants were now clamouring at the locked door, for Holden had slipped his left hand behind him and turned the key.