Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-17
B|Eed
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in contact with the brass rail at the back Of the
char there came tremendous blow at the base
OF the brain, cold feeling Of sudden death, and
the crisis was past
When Bennington came to himself again he was
lying on bed in small room: there was a lamp
ON table by his side. He had no feeling what.
ever that he had suffered from violence of any
kind. his head clear and bright his limbs
felt as elastic and virile as ever He was like
man who had suddenly awakened from long
| sleep; he was just AZ fresh and vigorous The
bed on which he was lying completed the illu-
sion
What new devils work is this?' Bennington
muttered. "Oh, ! recollect"
The room was small but comfortably furnished.
There was fire ready laid in the crate; on the
ceiling was three branch electrolier. but the
switch by the door had been removed for some
reason or other.
On the table by the bed was a very liberal sup.
per- fanked by decanter Of whisky and a sy-
phon OF soda water, also box of cigarettes and
ahother OF cigars. A silver match box invited the
prisoner to smoke. He took cigarette
Clearly he was a prisoner. The window was
shuttered with iron, and small round venta-
tor; high up, inside the door, was another sheet
OF IRON. There was perhaps little consolation
ID the TACT that no personal violence was intend
ed For long time Bennington reviewed the sit.
uation. AT any rate he could see no way out OF
the mess for the present. He smoked his cigar.
ette and ate his supper and that being done
feelng OF fatigue stole over him. Looking at his
watch, he saw that it was past one o'clock in
the morning very late hour for him.
III go to bed" Bennington told himself "Pcr.
haps shall be able to see a way out in the morn
ing. On the whole, my diplomacy does not seem
TO nave been success. 1t would have been
much better if had not hinted that had taken
somebody else into my confidence
Despite his danger Bennington slept soundv.
q
through the little portfolio in the iron shutter
as he came to himself BY his side was cold
breakfast, with spirit lamp for the purpose of
making coffee Bennington had hardly finished
and applied match to cigarette before he was
startled by the scream of whistle. Looking
around to see whence the sound came his ewes
fell upon speaking tube. His heart gave a great
leap as 1t occurred to the prisoner that perhaps
Mary Sartoris was calling him. He crossed over
and pulled out the whistle at his end and an
swered promptly
Glad to hear that you have had good nights
rest" came the dry voice of Sartoris "The bed
is comfortable, and | can vouch for the quality
OF the cigars. BY the way, as / have seen moth
ing OF your confederate am confirmed in nv
previous Judgment that you were trying to bluff
me. Is not that so?"
Berr1ng said nothing, silence giving consent
On the whole it occurred to him it would be far
better to let Sartoris conclude that he was alone
| in the business
Very good, the dry voice went on "yo,, are
like the curly headed boy in the song who never
or hardly ever-told lie. Now there is one
little thing that / am going to ask you to do
And 1t you refuse | shall be under the painful
necessity OF causing you a great deal of physical
suffering. On the table by the side of your bed
you will find writing paper, pen and ink Yon
Will be so good as to write letter to Miss Beat
rice Darry or to Mrs. Richford- whatever YOU
prefer to style her-asking her to call upon YOU
at the address which is stamped on the head of
the paper You are to tell Miss Darry that she
is not to say anything to anybody about the
vsit-that she is to at ten o'clock tonight
or later Tell her also that she is to bring the
little bunch of keys that she will find in her
fathers dressingcase You may take it from me-
that no harm whatever is intended to the young
lady. When the letter is finished you will be so
good as to push it under the door of your ROOM"
"It is an excellent program for you" Berring-
ton said drily. "There is only one flaw in the
little arrangement that can see--I decline to do
anything of the kind. You may do whatever YOU
like and treat me in any way you please but I
shall decline to write that letter And YOU NAV
whistle up the tube all day, so far as I am con-
cerned."
An oath up the tube, then the voice of
Sartoris, if talking to somebody else The
whistle clapped on, but almost immediately
it removed and another voice whispered the
name of Bennington. His heart gave a great
leap. Mary speaking.
For heavens sake, write that letter" came
the agonized whisper. 81 pledge you my word"
The voice stopped and the whistle was clapped
into the tube again.