Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-04-30

you can saw through the rope. Use
The Jagged edge-like this. That cuts
It Try over there"
Alice fell to work eagerly. and In a
few moments they had freed a section
OF the wood piled In the smaller cham
Der from the restraining ropes and
stakes.
Now. then" directed Coquenn. You
carry the logs to me. and III make a
oarrtcade In the passageway."
The word passageway Is somewhat
misleading There was really dis
lance OF only three feet between the
two chambers. this being the thickness
OF the massive stone wall that sep
arated them. Half OF this opening
was already filed by the wood pile, and
CoqueniI proceeded 20 al up the other
half. laying logs on the door length
wise in the open part OF the passage
from chamber 10 chamber and then
laying other logs on top Of these. and
so on as rapidly as the girl brought
wood
They worked with all speed. Soon
the pasSageway was solidly walled
with closely fitted logs 10 the height OF
six feet Above this. in the arched
part, COquenil worked more slowly.
selecting logs OF such shape and size
as would oil the curve with the fewest
number OF cracks between them
There was danger IN cracks between
the obstructing logs, for cracks meant
draft, and a draft meant the spread
ing OF the ere.
Now" said NJ. Paul, surveying the
blocked passageway, that is the best
we can dO-with wood. We must stop
these cracks with something else.
What did you wearT' He glanced at
the chair zhere Alice had thrown her
things. "A white cloak and a straw
hat with a white veil and a black vel
vet ribbon Tear Of the ribbon and
we can't stand on ceremony. Here are
my coat and vest Rip them into strips
and Great GOdi There's the smoke
nOwP'
AS be spoke a thin grayish feather
curled out between two OF the upper
logs and noated away: another came
below e. Somewhere De Heidelmann-
Bruck had pressed an electric button,
and under the logs deadly sparks had
jumped 10 the waiting finder. They
were prisoners In a huge. slowly heat
ING oven stacked with tons OF dry
wood
we must stop this" he cried. and.
tearing the shirt from his shoulders.
he ripped Il into fragments and wedg-
ed these tight between the logs.
I'VE must have more CLOTH" he said
gravely. Its our only chance, little
friend. IN put out the candle! Therel
Let me bave-whatever you can aud
be Quick!'
Again be worked with frantic haste.
stuhing in the last shreds and rags
that could be spared from their bodies
whenever a dull glow from the other
side revealed n crock In the barricade-
There" be painted: that's the best
we can do! Now It's up TO Godl be-
lieve we have stopped the draft he
said after n moment
Suddenly a faint sound broke the
stiffness, and the detective started viO
lently. II was a low, humming sound
that presently grew stronger and then
sang on steadily like a buzziug wheel.
He moved about in perplexity. Il
seemed 10 him that be felt current
OF air.
Alice. come herer' he called stand
where ! am. That's right Now put
out your hand. DO you feel anythingT"
Il feel a draft" she said.
AS she spoke the hummiuc sound
strengthened. and with IL the draft
blew stronger
'Merciful Cod" cried CoQuenil In a
fash OF understanding. Its blowerT'
NJ. Paul turned his face upward and
listened attentively. mo doubt OF I'll
It's sucking through an air shaft Up
there In the ceiling"
IL don't understand"
Hes forcing draft from that room
20 this one. He has started a blower.
tell you. and
''What IS a blowerY' put in Alice
At her frightened tone Coduenil
Gained himself and answered gently:
Its like a big electric fan It's draw.
ing air out OF this room very fast with
a suction. and I'm afraid unless
Just then there came e sharp DOB.
followed by kissing noise, as II some
one were breathing In air through shut
teeth The blower has sucked out
one OF our cloth plugs. There goes an
otherF be said as the popping sound
waa repeated And anotherl It's all
on with our barricade. little girl"
The FIRE may come through a lit
tie" he told her comfortingly. but
III hx II so you will be-an right.
Come! Wen build another barricade.
You know wood is a bad conductor
OF heat and-if you have wood all
about you and-Over you, why, the
IRE can't burn you"
"Ohl" said Alice.
Wen 60 over TO this door as far
from the passageway as we can get.
Now bring me logs from that side
pile. That's right"
Most OF the smoke at first was
borne upward by the blowers suction.
and Alice was able to help Coquenii
with the new barricade. They built
this directly In front OF the iron door
with only space enough between II