The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-01-22

do not understand the life work of an
inventor. i 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 IL closed
For the first time | began 20 feel
little creepy. but / answered with
what suayity ! could command, But
what If ] break down the door? II is
only made Of wood
THAT would be impossible IL is
four inches thick and made OF stout
oak and is braced with steel ribs.
Nothing short OF dynamite could blow
1t open
"'But the windowsP ! continued. i
have slid down the sides or houses be
fore now with nothing but bed quilts
TO support me-
"The man sighed-there was no mis-
taking that. lie looked almost pathct-
ically at me, and then said:
"Pm sorry 10 shatter another dclu-
sion OF yours, but that avenue OF es-
cape is totally closed. IL would mean
instant death to You. If you will no
tice the iron grating at the windows
you may gather my meaning. Those
small steel bars are charged with elec-
tricity enough To- kill a dozen men. If
you attempted TO cut them or pry them
apart you would never live To tell the
tale. Nor even l, with all my skill mt
mechanics and invention, could escape
A. ,.pI ,,f
the steel bars Of the grating. Your
only hope is 10 reach the basin OF the
house and turn Off the switch, but that
seems impossible until after 7 in the
morning
81 felt now the perspiratlon breaking
out on my forehead, for | was undoubt.
edly in a trap, locked up in n room
with the owner of the house, with no
possible means Of escape until day
light For some time I lost my nerve
and stared helplcssly 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, rcproachfully, for no man should
look death or prison I'm the face with
out sorrow and remo"se. l should
think that your past deeds would-'
"'Sce here. old man. | interrupted
may be shut up In n room with you all
night, but I'm not going TO be lectured.
I'd rather do the talking If there's any
10 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 If in that time l could
convince you
lyon cannot / interrupted rudely.
i wish 10 rest and sleep. IL will do
me more good than if
"'You must be very far gone. Indeed,
il you can sleep at such time as this.
In all my experience with criminals
have never yet found one who would
not"
II yawned and stretched myself on
the sofa opposite him aud closed my
eyes. III 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
yourself on that sofa. II has n patent
spring invented by me which will
make II close up with n click and suf.
focate you in moment II you should
accidently touch the knob
What confounded hole this room
is," | exclaimed jumping from the So
"a and standing in the middle OF the
room. is there anything else or your
invention in this roomT
Nothing of Importance; that Is.
nothing except the chairs. which have
collapsible backs and legs. II you
should happen TO seat yourself on one
and tip over TO the right II might
II moved away from the nearest
chair and took a seat on the foot OF
the bed near my midnight acquaint
ance. The bed at least is all right.
suppose said /.
Not IL two get on II II wil stan
Just $50 pounds and no more
What will happen thenY I dc
manded hercely, standing mp once
more.
1T will SPRING
The man could not finish his sen
| tence. His face suddenly blanchcd
and | felt my nerves shaking. Had
accidentally touched some secret but
ton or knob which would bring deatl
and destruction down upon both O
our heads7 heard footballs outsld
in the hall. but thcy had little mean
ing for me. | was wondering wha
would happen next.
Then there was turn OF the door
knob. and suddenly the door openet
and a vision of white nightclothe
stood before US. A voice asked shsrr
ly: John. what are you doing at thl
time OF the night with the gas turue
up SO highg Are you up To you
old
Then there was shrek. and IN
woman dropped In n heap on th
floor. swooning before my eyes as sh
caught sight OF me. turned an IL
? quiring eye toward the man in he,
but he avoided returning the gaze.
l. Mandy. why did you come here an
: spoil IL alir he said. -
o "The truth was dawning upon m
b mind. aud I'm few moments l reco,
eTed sufficiently 90 say: You deser,
G horsewhipping. old man. but I'll Il
r You OF easy. Now that the door
open think shall bid you GOO
v night