One held a dark-lantern and the other a heavy jimmy.

Above, the sounds of the fight continued, and the burglar attacked by Lee was still bawling for help.
Fairfax Lee felt that he was fighting for his life, and he still believed that he was fighting Bill Gaston.

He did not hear the burglars on the stairs.

He was trying to get the supposed Bill Gaston by the throat and choke him into subjection.

The burglar's shot, fired almost pointblank at Lee, had done him no injury, and now the weapon was on the floor.
"Help!" bellowed the burglar.
He got his throat free, but he could not throw off those clutching hands.