But before Talbot could bring a weapon from his pocket, Harry had the muzzle of his revolver in the centre of his back saying firmly,
“If you threaten the Duke, I will kill you!”
With a swift movement and the desperate strength of a cornered rat Talbot turned round, forced up Harry’s right arm, which held the revolver and with his other first struck him violently below the belt.
As Harry’s revolver exploded, the bullet hitting the ceiling, he doubled up.
Even as the Duke moved forward to stop him, Talbot had reached the door, opened it and Isa could hear him running down the corridor.
It all happened so quickly and, because the Duke was concerned for Harry, he stopped to see that he was all right before following Talbot.
“Stop him!” Harry murmured painfully.
The Duke obeyed, but by
