Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-30

ulVeE Hour ne spluttered nOrr1Dle oatns JnfOugn
the gag that had been fastened in his mouth,
cursing Jordison cursing Lipp, and cursins
most ot all, Susanson, who had forestalled him
IN his treachery. He pictured to himself Susan
son squandering his FIVE thousand pounds
but the sense of fury and disappointment in
Jermy's mind soon gave way to an overwhem-
ing terror. He knew that he had not many
hours to live, He realized that his death would
pc most desirable event in the eyes Of bpp
and Jordison, and that neither of them was like
to have any scruples about taking his life
II Susanson had reached the police station at
uorehaven, Lipp and Jordison would have all
their work cut out to save themselves, and prob
ably they would not even return to the house.
II, on the other hand they overlook Susanson,
IT was quite certain that he would never have
another chance Of betraying them. In which
case Jenny would be the sole possessor Of the
secret, and IL would be almost necessary for
them to insure his silence.
In either case Jenny realized that he must
free himself from his bonds. He would either
be left to starve to death or else he would be
murdered, or else he would himself fall into the
hands of the police, an event which, though
preferable to the other two alternatives, would
be by no means thing to be desired
Not only was he bound hand and foot, but
several separate ropes had been passed round
his body, till he was swathed like an Egyptian
mummy, As an additional security rope had
been passed round his neck and fastened to the
leg of heavy iron bedstead. Lpp had done
his work well. The prisoner could not even
roll over on the floor. Jenny knew that he
must free his hands, but it seemed almost an
impossibility The wrists were lashed tightly
together, and his arms we're bound close to his
body.
1t was not until the sunlight had died from
the sky that humble friend came to Jermy's
assistance. Shortly after the clock in the hall
had obivt o1 ha ri ti.o
on the floor of his bedroom. He knew at once
that it was rat. The house was literally over
run with them. His mind at once travelled back
to stories he had read--thrilling stories where a
kindly rodent had nibbed through the bonds of
the hero He glanced at the ropes. They look
ed unappetizing, and he remembered that the
hero had generally managed to rub them over
with oil or fat. However, he lay still and
hoped, for it is wonderful what straws drown
ing man will clutch at
The rat moved round and round in search of
something to eat. Once it came within yard
of Jermy's head and looked at him with beady
eyes, The rat, however, did not seem to care
for closer acquaintance with the lump of ST.
lent flesh the hoor and, turning round it
ran up the bedcothes, and made its way up a
bell-rope to long deal shelf, some eight feet
above the ground. The shelf was covered with
tins, jars and bottles, and Jenny heard the
clink Of glass as the animal crept along on it's
tour of inspection.
Then the rat did thing which, if it had oc-
Cured in the Middle Ages, would have earned
it place of honor on the Jenny coat-of-arms.
1t discovered large jar half full of axle-greese,
and in its efforts to taste this rich dainty it
sent the whole thing crashing to the ground.
The bottom half, with its Jagged edge of thick
earthenware, rolled to Jermy's side.
In less than quarter of hour Jenny had
sawn through the rope that bound his wrists
md Tba ode &c tho iar q
keen razor. Rolling his body from side to
side, he worked carefully and with enormous
difficulty. His hands streamed with blood, but
the loss of finger would not have stopped him.
With hands and arms unbound the rest was
easy. He cut through all the ropes in five min
utes and, rising to his feet, moved painfully
across the room to a cupboard, where he found
a bottle of brandy deep draught Of the fiery
liquid put fresh life into his aching limbs and
body. He went hurriedly to dirty old cigar
box full of papers and drew out purse with
twenty-five sovereigns in it. Then he glanced
at the window and door, decided on the latter,
and burst it open with the heavy iron fender.
Then he made his way downstairs, crammed
half loaf and chunk of bacon into his pocket,
and slipped out into the road.
There was no one in sight, but he could not
see far in any direction.
Jermy decided that the open road was too per-
ilous for his purpose, so he climbed steep
bank on the left and descended to the marsh
land on the other side of it. A rude pathway
ran at the foot. The bank was over six feet
high, and he was well screened from observation,
but q the walking was difficult, and he moved
slowly on his journey. Every and then he
crawied cautiously to the top of the bank, and,
peering over the edge, looked UP and down the
road.
A faint wind had risen from the southwest,
and the mist was gradually being scattered be-
fore it. In half an hours time he could see
nearly mile in every direction. At the end of
an hour he had travelled little more than three
miles, but his limbs we're still stiff from the
ropes that had cut into his flesh and muscles,
and he was beginning to be tired of his journey.
He lay down on the bank to rest, that his
eyes could scan the long road beyond He pulled
out the bread and bacon and ate heartily; then
he filed short clay pipe with black shag and
smoked till a sense OF peace crept over him,
and he saw himself the owner OF five thousand
pounds, He had no doubt that the stupid little
Susanson was dead.
His happy meditations were interrupted by a
yellow glow in the mist, where the road van
ished from sight few seconds later three
bright sparks glittered in the distance like stars,
and every second they increased in size, till he
could see the black car behind them. In less
than minute they had flashed past him, and
the fan of light receded farther and farther till
il died away in the mist beyond
He sprang to his feet and continued his jour
ney He had noted that there were only two
people in the car. II was quite evident that Su-
SAMSON had been effectualy disposed Of for it
was hardly likely that the two men would have
returned to the Red House if he had made good
his escape. The reward was in Jermy's hands if
he could only get off the marshland into the
open country
In ten minutes time he peeped over the edge
of the bank, and again saw three bright eyes in
the distance and blotch of black on the long