The Delta independent., 1911-08-11


If the detectives posIuon nau peen
perilcus before & was extra hazard
Gus now. He was gripped In the jaws
formed by the radiator and the wall
and neither hands nor feet at liberty,
1T seemed next to impossible for him
to free himself. He kicked and strug.
,gled furiously, the hiss Of the steam
constantly growing louder. and
in his endeavor to escape, he bent for
ward until his face was scalded by the
rushing steam. The pain Of that mis-
hap aided him, however, for the in
voluntary recoil 1t caused eliminated
In final effort that loosed the grip
in which he was held and sent him
staggering in a series of two-footed
hops along the wall.
Bracing his shoulders once more
against the wall, Britt began another
series of vigorous attempts to break
the silken scarves. or to slip out of
them. Exerting all his strength, he
strained alternately at wrist and
ankles, and ground between his teeth
the little ball of silk that blocked his
voice. But 1t was all to no purpose.
His captors knew their trade. and the
clinging bonds, while yielding, did not
give at any point sufficiently to set the
sleuth at liberty. Suddenly a thought.
swift and keep as a saber flash, Glove
its way straight through his perplex-
ity. That which imperiled his life
should give him liberty. He sidled
along the wall until he stood beside
the radiator at the end away from the
safety valve. Pressing against the
edge of the metal the scarf that held
his hands, he began swinging himself
from side to side. The corrugated
edge of the ornamental ironwork
served as a saw, and although Inore
than once the man gasped as clouds
of steam whirled about his head, In
fewer minutes than would seem prob
able the metallic edge gnawed its way
through the silk. and the kerchiet
parted with abruptness that sent
Britt Keeling back against the wall
and crashing headlong to the door.
His hands were free! And as that
welcome realization followed the Jar
ring impact of his head against an
angle of the Dashboard, Lieutenant
Britt laughed softly as with busy I'm
gers he loosed the scarf about his
ankles, snatched the gag from his
mouth, and, with a single shake OF his
shoulders that rippled the kinks out Of
his cramped muscles, strobe to the
window and flung up the sash. One
deep intake of good, cold air. then halt
a dozen more, and he felt as fit as If
he had not been close to a distressing
and altogether ignominious end. He
gripped the sill and leaned far out,
looking first downward, then all
around In quest of landmark. There
were not many lights on that side of
the building, but faint CLEAN in the
depths enabled him to judge that he
was about at the tenth story, and that
the building was in an unfrequented
uptown street. Withdrawing his head
he pressed the button of pocket cleo,
trio torch and explored the room.
From the style of its finish it evident.
ly was a section of an unoccupied
apartment in a new and rather pre-
tentious building. a room planned tc
be cut off from the rest of the suite
for 1t seemed to give directly on the
hall and was separated from its neigh
Dor by a fireproof door of massive
steel. He seized the handle. II
turned readily. but the door did moi
open. The same was true OF the dool
between the room and the hall. He
shook both doors with all his
strength. but they had been locked
too stoutly to yield. 1t was apparent
the kidnappers had made him pris
oner in full knowledge of the unlike
lihood he would be released speedily
That they had plotted his death wal
not certain, but 1t was unmistakablt
they had given themselves little, 1
any. concern in that respect. Brit;
thought Of the possibilities OF fire a,
he had lain bound on the floor, and al
unpleasant sensation passed ove
him; but he fastened back to tn,
window and examined the outside o
the building with view to escape ii
that direction. He did not expect Il
lovertake his abductors quickly. no
was he even Of a mind to devote tn,
bulk of his time to that purpose. Blu
he regarded the capture of his recen
captors as an important side enter
prise to the solution of the great dia
mond mystery and habit made hin
eager to begin working without delay
There was a fire escape on the foo
whence he looked out-a thorough,
modern continuance with fiat steps
and q really serviceable handrail-bu
1t did not run to the window at which
he stood. However. Britz had NOR
than one attribute of the lynx. and 1
did not tax his agility greatly T.
reach the balcony while still grippini
che window frame securely. and. witt
tone quick movement. to swing him
self over the ladder rail. 1t was tn
work of q minute or two to run dow
tha easy steps TO the first floor abov