The Huttig news. (Huttig, Ark.) 1907-1955, 1912-02-17

mteness. Again and again he made
the attempt; again and again he
failed but at last, with a mighty
heave that left him painting, he raised
himself by eatapult movement and
sat back on his heels, waiting to
catch his breath
It was harder task to get on his
feet He could not do it in the middle
Of the floor Slowly. carefully, he
worked his way on his knees to the
wall, against which he braeed himself.
Then, bit by bit. he bent his feet for
ward in a demilune until his weight
was on knees and toes His progress
was as painful as 1t was slow. for the
silk scarf compelled his ankles to
bend in unison, If at all. and even
when he had bent his toes to the
requisite point it was a great strain
to keep them there.
The detective, after a brief pause
TO gather his strength, set his shout
der against the wall and threw all his
force into single vigorous push.
The movement almost threw him 10
the floor again, but he recovered his
poise quickly and stood erect, For
few moments he was content to revel
in the relaxation that was so welcome
after his long continuance IN
crampod and PROSTATE position. Then
a seconds forgetfu1ness, natural
enough 10 one accustomed to his free
dom of movement. almost undid the
work of the last half hour. He trted
TO step away from the wall, Oblivion
10 the scarf that bound his ankles,
ard pitched forward heavily. He did
not fan to the floor. however. for
somethirg sharp and hard stopped
him He found himse ELF wedged be-
tween a metallic ffameNo work. and the
WaA. A Yeaomoas hiss and the con
act OF his bound hands with hot
metal told hin be had fallen on
team radiator and as the Kissing
0und increased he guessed the shock
had broken the little safety valve
aicse TO the cop Of the curved pipes.
4 the detectives Posi- ION had been
perilous before il was extra hazard
aus now. He was gripped IN the Jaws
ormed b5 the radiator ard the wall,
and neither hands nor feet a liberty,
It seemed next to impossible for him
O free himself He kicked and strug-
sIed furioasly. the hiss of the steam
constantly growing louder, and
n his endeavor to escape, he bent for
Yard until HIS face was scalded by the
,ushing steam. The pain OF that mis-
zap aided him however, for the In
voluntary reeoil 1t caused eliminated
IN p final effort that loosed the grip
n which he was he'd and sent him
staggering IN series OF tWo-looted
hops along TIE vail
Bracing his shoulders once more
gajnat lie wall, Rritz began another
cries Of vigorous attempts to break
ne silkan scarves. or 10 slip out Of
hen. EXerting al his strength, he
raiaed alternately at Wriat and
nkles. and ground between his teeth
he little hall of silk that blocked his
dice. But it was all to no purpose
lis captors knew their trade, and the
inging bonds, while yielding, did not
i've at any point sufficiently to set the
euth at liberty Suddenly a thought,
wifi ard keen as a sabar flash, Glove
s way straight through his perplex-
'ty. That which imreriled his life
houid give him liberty. He sidled
long the wall until he stood beside
he radiator at the end away rom the
sfety wave Pressing against the
dye Of The metal the scarf that held
is hands he began swing.ae hinlse.t
rcn si9t 10 side. Tie corrueatee
1ge of the ornamental ironwor1
rived as saw and although MGR
nan once the man gasped as cloud.
VI steam Whirled about his head. In
ever minutes than would seem prob
ible the metallic edge gnawed its way
trough the silk, and the kerchief
parted with abruptpess that sent
3ritz rceling back against the wall
md crashing headlong 10 the floor.
sIis hands were free! And as that
Welcome realization followed the jar
ing impact of his head against an
.Egle of the Dashboard Lieutenant
| 2ritz laughed softly as with busy fin
gers he loosed the scarf about his
ankles, snatched the gag from his
mouth, ard. With 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 half
/ dozen more, and he felt as fit as if
he had not been lose to a distressing
and altogether ignomtnious 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
1 uptown street. Withdrawing his head
he pressed the button of pocket cleo
tric 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, room Planned TO
be cut off from the rest of the suite.