The Western news., 1902-10-22

VIVA
"That also will explain. The night
was SO hot that thought would leave
the door open. Besides, my wife is
away visiting her mother
Now | understand Then I am to
believe that am locked in here with
you until In the morningT
Exactly, and that is the time the
private watchman raps on the outside
door to see If all is WELL
I see,' replied, smiling less pleas
antly. But you would not dare signal
to the watchman that you had burglar
in your room. would shoot you the
instant you did so.'
"I'm afraid you are too hasty, and
do not understand the life work Of an
inventor. would not have to signal.
There is an automatic device on the
outer door which would warn him. That
cannot be disconnected SO long as the
door Is closed
"For the first time began to feel a
little creepy, but answered with what
suavity l could command: But what IL
break down the door? 1t is only made
Of wood
"'That would be impossible. It is
four inches thick and made Of stout
oak and Is braced with steel ribs Moth
ing short Of dynamite could blow 1t
open.'
But the windows? continued. I
have slid down the side Of houses be-
fore now with nothing but bed quilts to
support me-
'The man sighed-there was no mis-
taking that. He looked almost pathei-
cally at me and then said:
I'm sorry to shatter another delusion
OF yours, but that avenue Of escape is
totally closed. 1t would mean instant
grating at the windows you may gather
my meaning. Those small steel bars
are charged with electricity enough to
kill dozen men. If you attempted to
cut them or to pry them apart you
would never live to tell the tale. Nor
even I, with all my skill at mechanics
and invention, could escape through the
windows, or touch one Of the steel bars
of the grating. Your only hope Is to
reach the basement Of the house and
turn Off the SWITCH but that seems i'm
possible until after In the morning.
Il felt now the perspiration break
ing out on my forehead, for was un-
doubtedly in trap, locked up in room
with the owner of the house, with no
possible means of escape until daylight.
For some time lost my nerve and
stared helplessly at the inventor before
me. He looked SO pathetically sorry for
me that almost laughed in his face.
"'Do not make light Of It, he broke
out reproachfully, for no man should
sorrow and remorse. l should think
that your past deeds would
See here, old man. interrupted, I
may be shut up In room with you all
night, but I'm not going to be lectured.
I'd rather do the talking If there's any
to be done
But. sir, I'm thinking only Of your
welfare-of your souls safety in the
hereafter. should like to reform you
and turn you away from your path Of
crime. We have six hours together be-
fore us, and II in that time l could con-
vince you-
"'You cannot interrupted rudely.
wish to rest and sleep. 1t will do me
more good than IT,
"'You must be very far gone, indeed,
II you can sleep at such time as this.
In all my experience with criminals I
have never yet found one who would
not
~ yawned and stretched myself on
the sofa opposite him and closed my
eyes. II you do not wish me to kill
you, pray be quiet. have no need for
your sermon
"'Ah, you will speak differently some
but be careful how you stretch your
self on the sofa. 1t has patent spring
invented by me which will make it
| close up with click and suffocate you
In a moment II you should accidentally
touch the knob
What an internal hole this room is!'
| exclaimed, jumping from the sofa and
standing In the middle Of the room. Is
there anything else Of your invention In
this rOom?'
Nothing of Importance; that is.
nothing except the chairs, which have
collapsible backs and legs. If You
should happen to seat yourself on one
and tip over to the right 1t might
| II moved away from the nearest chair
and took a seat on the foot Of the bed.
near my midnight acquaintance. The
bed at least is all right, suppose?'
said l.
Not II two get on it. 1t will stand
just one hundred and fifty pounds, and
no more
''The man could not finish his SEN
tence His face suddenly blanched and
felt my nerves shaking.
''Then there was turn of the door
knob and suddenly the door opened,
and vision of white nightclothes stood
| before nS A voiro oSkod bo