The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-25
such emotions. You thicknecks are

such emotions. You thicknecks arc
subject to apoplexy."
"Oh, shut up" growled Mccarthy,
There isn't phone in order in this
building two floors either way. I've
tried 'em-and there hasn't been for
twenty minutes. And / can't get a
messenger to answer call; and that
ring-tailed, star-spangled ornament OF
a janitor won't answer his private bell.
I'll get him bounced so high the black
birds will build nests in his ear be-
fore he comes down again"
After trying vainly to stop a car
on its way up or down, Mccarthy
stumped down a flight of stairs, fol-
lowed more leisurely by the calmly TN
hurried Darrow. Here the same per-
Torrance was repeated. A half dozen
men by now had joined them. So they
progressed from story TO story until
an elevator boy, attracted by their fran
tic shouts. stopped to see what was the
matter. Immediately the door was slid
back on its runners, Mccarthy seized
the astoniShed operator by the collar.
Come out of that, you scum of
the earth he roared. Come out of
that and tell me why you don't stop
for your signals?
Il amt seen no signals" gasped the
elevator boy
Some one punched the button, but
the little, round. annunciator disk in
the car failed to illuminate.
Il wonder if there's anything in or
der in this miserable hole" snarled
Mccarthy
The lights is gone out" volunteered
the boy; and indeed for the first time
the men now crowding into the car
noticed that the incandescents were
dead.
While Mccarthy stormed out TO
spread abroad impartial threats against
two public utility concerns for inter-
fering with his business. Percy OAR
row. his curiosity aroused. interviewed
the Janitor Under that functionary's
guidance he examine the points of
entrance for the different wires used
for lightning and communication /;
looked the private bell installations,
and assembled again TO the corridor,
abstractedly busting his fingers. There
he found a group OF the buildings
tenants, among whom he distinguished
DR.. Knox.
Same complaint. suppose-no
phones, no lights, no bells" he re-
marked.
Seems to be" replied Knox Cen
eral condition. Acts as though the
main arteries had been cut outside"
Inside bells: House phones ?"
suggested barrow
The repair men came in double
quick time and great confidence They
IL
which soon slackened to slower be-
wilderment. Some one disappeared, to
return with a box OF new batteries.
The head repair man connected
group of these with a small bell i'll
the executive Office. The instrument,
however, failed to respond.
Try your ammeter, suggested OAR
row. who had followed.
The delicate needle OF the instru-
ment did not culver.
Batteries dead" said the repair
man. Jim, what the hotel-bill do
you mean by getting dead batteries?
Go back and bring new lot, and test
en-"
In due time i'm returned.
These test 10 fifteen" said he Go
to it,
"Test-nothing roared the repair
man aftsr a moment. These are dead,
too"
Percy barrow left the ensuing ar
gument to its own warmth. II was
growing late. In the corridor a few
stily-brought lamps cast a dim light
Percy collided against DR.. Knox en-
tcring the building
Not fixed YETI" asked the latter in
evident disappointment. What's the
NATTER"
Il don't know" said barrow slow
ly. 1T puzzles me. It's more than
an ordinary break of connections or
short-circuiting through apparatus. If
one could imagine a big building like
this polarized in some way-anyhow,
the electricity is dead. Look here"
He pulled an electric hash-lght from
his pocket. Bought this fresh on my
way here. Tested it, OF course Now,
there's nothing wonderful about these
toys getting back on a man; but
he pressed the button and peered down
the lenS-"this is a funny coincidence"
He turned the lens toward his friend.
The flament was dark.