The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1911-08-04
CHAPTER XII.
The Empty Apartment.

When BritZ CROPPED his way out or
the soundest sleep he had known in
many a year, 1t was in absolute ig-
norance of his whereabouts. He
gasped desperately several times be-
fore he returned to anything like his
normal breathing.
Mingled with the peculiar taste of
the smothering dark was faint odor
unlike anything in the headquarters
mans experience.
1t had a persistence all its own, and
when he tried to persuade himself
his sensory nerves had played trick
upon him, 1t wreathed into his nostrils
WITH unmIstakable individuality.
Britt needed no effort to rise to tell
him he still was bound hand and foot.
and in the first instant OF his full
awakening he realized the silken gag
still held his speech in thrall. He bit
the ball of silk savagely, and strained
his tongue until the roots ached in en-
deavors to force the gag out OF his
mouth. AS we'll might he, helpless as
to hands and feet as he was. have
tried to shake off a gorilla's grip at
his throat Yet the seeming hopeless
ness of his plight did not disturb him
greatly. He had been In worse places
1t was a question of patience. perse-
verance and pluck, and when 1t came
to virile qualities, the famous Central
office man was abundantly and allit-
eratively equipped.
He tested his bonds-gently at first.
then vigorously then with all his
strength.
He was not a Sandow, but he had
abundance of plant and serviceable
strength. After many minutes passed
in vain efforts to free himself, he re-
Taxed his body and limbs for a short
but complete rest. meanwhile bending
his mind to the task OF determining
where he was The result of his men
tai endeavor was as fruitless as the
other All he knew at the end OF 1t
was that he lay on a bare floor in
room which. from the sound of his
heels on the boards. he Judged was
small. That thought suggested to him
a means of summoning help other
than vocal.
He began drumming on the boards
with his heels. 1t was firing work.
for his ankles were held so close that,
with his feet beating in alienation,
he could not make much noise. To
make a sound likely to carry far. he
had to raise and lower his heels to-
gether-an achievement that sounds
easy until one has tried doing 1t many
times With all his endurance he
could not keep 1t up for many mimi
utes at a stretch. In the intervals he
strained his hearing for response
None came.
Britt rolled over on his face. As
his hands were tied behind his back
had little leverage by which to lift
himself. Several times he tried to
rise to his knees. only to SLIP
and bruise his face on the hard floor
Those mishaps were painful. but not
discouraging to a man Of Britt reso
luteness. Again and again he made
the attempt; again and again he
failed, but at last, with mighty
heave that left him painting. he raised
himself by a catapult movement anc
sat back on his heels. waiting te
catch his breath.
1t was a harder task to get on his
feet. He could not do 1t In the middle
OF the floor. Slowly. carefully, he
worked his way on his knees to the
wall, against which he braced himself
Then, bit by bit, he bent his feet for
ward In demilune until his weigh
was on knees and toes. His progress
was as painful as 1t was slow, for thu
silk scarf compelled his ankles t.
bend in unison. If at ALL and eveI
when he had bent his toes to thu
requisite point 1t was a great strait
to keep them there.
The detective, after a brief paus
to gather his strength. set his shou
der against the wall and threw all hi
force into a single, vigorous push
The movement almost threw him Z
the floor again, but he recovered hi
poise quickly and stood erect. For
few moments he was content to reve
in the relaxation that was 30 welcom
after his long continuance in
cramped and PROSTATE position. The
seconds forgetfulness, naturf
enough to one accustomed to his FREE
dom of movement, almost undid tn
work of the last half hour. He trfe
to step away from the wall. Oblivion
to the scarf that bound his ankle
and pitched forward heavily. He di
not fall to the floor, however. &c
something sharp and hard stoppe
him. He found himself wedged b.
: tween a metallic framework and tn
wall. venomous hiss and the col
tact of his bound hands with hi
metal told him he had fallen on
steam radiator. and as the hissin
sound increased he guessed the shoe
had broken the little safety valy
close to the top of the curved pipe
lTn be cnntinueGi