nuckle the angry man's solar plexus--how
to step swiftly aside and bring the horny edge of his hand against
sensitive vertebrae. He could seize Orme by the arm and, dropping
backward to the ground, land Orme where he wished him. Yes, Arima had
every reason to feel confident. Many a time had he got the better of
American fist-fighters.

But a system of offense and defense which is based upon the turning of an
opponent's strength against himself absolutely depends for its success
upon an accurate estimate of the opponent's intentions. A sudden shift of
physical purpose may put your jiu-jitsu adept at a loss.

Arima, from his knowledge of American fighting methods, had reason to
think that Orme would continue his charge and strike out with his fists
when he came near enough. That, however, is something that Orme did not
do. For, in his two previous encounters with the Japanese, he had learned
much. He had learned, among other things, the value of the unexpected.
And though his anger was almost blinding, he cooled, during those few
short strides, to his usual caution.

Within two paces of Arima, he stopped short.

For one tense moment Orme opened his senses to all impressions. He could
hear, with almost painful distinctness, the moans of the two men he had
stunned and the rustling sounds made by their writhings.

He caught a glimpse of the girl. The searchlight of one of the cars
struck full on the side of her face, and drew there a distinct shadow of
the network of her disarranged hair. He saw the strained, excited look in
her eyes.

Her captor still held her arm. He was watching Orme and Arima
indifferently, as though quite confident of Japanese skill.

All this Orme observed in an instant. Then his eyes were again on Arima.

He knew that he would have to attack. To await the trick holds of the
Japanese would be to invite defeat. But if he attacked, he must use an
unexpected method.

Suddenly he raised his left arm above his head and clenched his fist. His
right arm remained by his side.

A step forward. The upraised arm descended. Swiftly Arima reached upward
to seize it. But even as the one arm descended, Orme swung his other,
with terrific force, up from the waist, and caught Arima on the mouth.

The blow missed the chin, but it was hard enough to fell any man of
ordinary strength. Arima staggered back, past the girl, and brought up
against the side of one of the cars. But with hardly an instant for
recove