midnight
Desperately , he wrenched the arm upwards , in the direction it had been straining to go , and the sudden unexpected jerk doubled the man 's arm and brought the weapon across his chest . For a moment there was a test of strength as Phil lay chest to chest over his opponent , the gun blocked between . Then the other grunted ; squirmed violently -- and there was a muffled explosion . A cry of pain cut the midnight air , and with insane strength Holmes ' ambusher fought free from his grip , staggered to his feet and went reeling away . Phil tore loose from the rope and bounded after him , never feeling , at the moment , his powder-burned chest . And then he halted in his tracks . A great roar came thundering over the desert !