Laverick, with a single bound, was upon his would-be assailant.

The hand which had already closed upon the butt of the small revolver was gripped as though in a vice.

With a scream of pain Lassen dropped the weapon upon the floor.

Laverick picked it up, thrust it into his coat pocket and, taking the man's collar with both hands, he shook him till the eyes seemed starting from his head and his shrieks of fear were changed into moans.

Then he flung him into a corner of the room.
"You cowardly brute!" he exclaimed.