The representative., 1901-06-13
CHAPTER XIII.
THE SPEAKING TUBE.

Nature has implanted in every ono
of it's living creatures. from the
!! top to the bottom of the scale,
the strongest of all instincts
that of self-preservation. As Sturgis
fell forward and olutched wildly at the
air, his hand struck the stone wall of
the squafe chamber. No conscious Inn
preston was made upon his brain by
the contact; but, automatically. his
fingers frightened as they slipped over
the smooth surface. His right hand
struck an obstacle and closed upon it,
in the convulsive grip of dying man.
Then sudden CLEAN of consciousness
swept across his sluggish brain.
1t was the speaking-tube!
He clung to it with the remnant of
his strength and eagerly placed his
lips to the mouthpiece. For few min
utes he drank in with avidity the re-
vivifying draughts of air which grad
ually brought him back from the brink
Of death.
With returning consciousness, the
thought of his dying friend recurred to
him in all it's vividness. He tried to.
go to his assistance; but he was sick
and faint, and his limbs were powerless
to respond to his~will. Then, at last,
he was seized with utter despair and
gave up the struggle.
He had sunk dejectedly upon the
chair. when a faint and indistinct MUIR
mur, as of distant voices, beat upon his
| ears, whose natural acuity seemed ex-
| traordinarily increased by the long
! nervous tension under which he had
been. The ruling passion is strong in
| death; without knowing just why he
did so, Sturgis found himself again at
the speaking-tube, endeavoring to hear
| the conversation, the sound of which
evidently came from Murdock's Office.
! He could barely distinguish a word
here and there; but he recognized the
timber of one of the voices. 1t was the
! chemists, and his interlocutor was q
woman-perhaps his daughter. If only
he could reach Agnes Murdock with
| some word or signal.
In suspense, he held his ear to the
mouthpiece, occasionally taking .
! breath of fresh air to renew his
strength.
Should he take the chances and shout
| in the hope of catching the young
/ girls attention? If he whistled, Muir
dock would answer himself, and the
| last chance would be lost. But would
| she hear a shout And, if she did, would
not her father prevent her from render
ing any assistance? Yet what other
chance was there? Poor Sprague was
dying; perhaps already dead. There
was no time to lose.
He stood for awhile irresolute, and
had just made up his mind to risk all
on a bold move, when suddenly Muir
/ docks voice became more distinct, as II
he were passing near the mouth-piece
Of the speaking-tube at the other end.
II shall be back directly"
| He was going then. Agnes. if It
were she, would remain alone for at
least an instant; and in that instant
lay possible salvation.
The reporter strained every nerve
| to catch some other word. None
came. But presently he heard door
close. Murdoch had left the room.
| Now or never was the chance to act.
| With all his might he blew repeated
ly into the tube.
'Well?"
The question came in the sweet
tones of a woman's voice:
"Mr. Sprague is in great danger.
You alone can save his life. II you
do .nt once ms saw Go to the door
Of the extension; press upward -