The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-23
FmdS Himself Held
a PuSone1 IN an EVL
Looking Den, Having Been
Lured There By ColSon,
But His JeWeI5y and
Money Had Not Been No
LeSted--CaAS tor Help Use
less.

an JAM - ne BiIH OF DEEhs con-
WINGED him and he stepped backward
with a scoWl. They had imprisoned
hinll
It was most unpleasant shocl
ind that the keepers of the low place
were evidently In league with his arch
enemy. Perhaps they had been well
paid for it--and parhealS they had not
AS matters stood It was imaginable
that colson. haviI,g engineered him to
the room. might have locked the door
himself s.nd departed quietly.
II that were the case and the propri-
eor's intentions we're good, he should
have early opportunity TO prove il. Graf
ton cast about &C. the button OF a
call bell. and then smiled at his own
absurdity IN expecting such a thing in
such place.
OF course it was not there. But the
guests. It might have been supposed
had some means OF communicating
with the powers Of the place. He
searched further. but without avail
Wei, how on earth do you ring EN-
upg' he demanded irritabIy.
The answer was not forthcoming
Grafton searched the place again, and
ended by knocking louily on the door.
He waited. Unless the place was
larger thaa he had fancled, some one
must have heard that
But no one had. OF. II the signal had
been noted, there was no response. He
fumed for a few minutes and pound
ed more heavily. Again he listened
for the sound OF approaching steps.
Again ne was~sorely disappointed.
'ConfOund It! I'm not alone in the
old barn. am II" He put his ear
against the panels mot a sound.
though BY jove! I'll make one.
then"
He pried at the small panel-hnaIfy
succeeded in forcing il open. He STOOD
back a pace and filed his lungs for a
shout that would shake the very raft
erA
Hey Hello! Heilol Hey
He shook an approving head at his
own effort. That must surely raise any
one who happened 10 be in the den.
And when they came. he would have
a few words to say on the subject OF
service.
But they did not come!
Listen hard as he would. Grafton
[QAA4 AAU AtA0tE aELEGN eAEuh OF klLE
without his apartment than he could
leave It.
Now, that's psculiari' he nsdi-
tated. Its beginning TO look very
much as Il the crowd here we're in
with Cols0n well
ones more ne stood back from the
door and expanded his chest.
Help! Help! Help! Police! Po-
licer' he roared. -'Therei II the house
has a reputation they're bound TO
heed that cali!'
With an agry smile he bent forward
70 await them. A minute dragged by.
and another. and another. For all the
aid his hail had broaght IL might have
been shouted into the mouth OF a
tomb.
When finally he gave ever the hope
less task OF listening. 0rafton's mouth
was set.
They've got met They've got met
he muttered. Il suppose this Is one of
the places the police never visitor
visit only IN regiments. And they've
got me Gagged up here!"
His hands IN his pockets, he glow
cred at the wretched carpet. at the
cracked mirror, and the dirty win
dows.
well. damn thsml They shant
have me longr'
He STROBE across the place, and
looked out into the court with snap
ping eyes. Could he jump no. the
window was a good three stories
above the ground level.
But 8 new opportunity caught his
eye. and he snarled his delight. There
was a fire escape. opposite the other
window single. fran. rusty ladder.
but path to earth!
Quickly he threw up the sash and
thrust MS head out into the close air
OF the court. The ladder led to the
bottom. And at the bottom sat a
man. brawny and blue-shirted-and
locking upward at him.
Say. Your cried Grafton.
The others ugly features broadened
into smile-a smile neither pleasant
nor promising. He offered no reply.
Look here. my mani"
The sinister one smiled on IN ID
lencs.
Il want this door uniookedP'
The smile turned to q laugh.
"Ye do. hey7''
Yes, and 1 want it done quickly.
too"
The man below watched him for a
few seconds. but vouchsafed neither
answer nor move. Indeed, he picked
up pipe from the pavement beside
him and llgs4ted It slowly and care
fully. Grafton seemed to have passed
from his ken.
rs that door going to be opened7''
Some day, mebbe."
The man smiled on. and the smile
set Grafton's blood TO boiling. II
they were not going to release him.
he would descend ana try conclusions
with the person in the court,
and any ether persons who might
choose to enter the game; and in his
mood. he felt capable OF handling all
the court could hold.
The sash went higaer. One Of Graf