There was a thud as the improvised weapon struck him, and the Russian rolled on the floor. The count had successfully disposed of one of his foes. He sprang toward Frank. The count had dropped the pieces of the chair after striking the Russian, apparently feeling able to account for Frank with his hands. But there was one thing he seemed to have forgotten. That was Jack. The count had not had time to watch the result of the shot when he fired at the lad and believed his bullet had gone home. When he sprang toward Frank, it was with the belief that he had a single adversary to contend with. Therefore, he was unprepared for the attack that Jack launched from behind. Jack, having picked himself up from the floor, had been circling around seeking a good chance at the count. He had been on the eve of jumping in when the count had seized the chair with which he disposed of the Russian, but had dropped back, unable to prevent the fall of the blow. He still felt the effects of the blow he had received in the alley, but his head was clearing fast and he was gaining strength rapidly. Now, seeing the count advance upon Frank, Jack sprang forward. His left hand grasped the collar of the count's coat, and checked him in his rush. As the count turned upon his new adversary, he encountered Jack's fist, which struck him squarely in the face with terrific force. The count staggered and at the same moment Jack struck again. The second blow also went true. Now the count recovered himself with an effort, and lowering his head, charged directly at Jack. The latter would have stepped nimbly out of the way and avoided the rush had it not been for the prostrate form of the Russian over which he tripped now. Count Blowinski threw his arms about Jack and hugged him in a tight embrace. The breath was all but squeezed from Jack's body and it seemed that his ribs must crack. Had the count been able to retain the pressure another moment, Jack must have collapsed. Fortunately, however, the count's breath also gave out and he was forced to release his hold. Jack sprang back gasping for breath, even as Frank leaped upon the count from behind and clasped his fingers in his throat. With a fierce roar of rage, the count wheeled upon Frank, broke loose the lad's hold, and before Jack could come to his chum's assistance, had hurled the lad clear across the room. Frank's head struck the edge of a table with a terrible force and he dropped to the floor unconscious. Thus had the count been able to dispose of a second of his foes. He now turned just in time to meet Jack's rush. But Jack had decided by this time that it was foolish to close with the count, who was possessed of tremendous strength. The lad had laid his plans carefully as he was momentarily recovering from the count's last embrace. He had determined to hold his opponent off at arm's length, if possible.