The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-30

like himself, he could feel the inert
body of Margory Golden. He could
see that body shaken by it's noise
less little sobs of pain and exhaustion.
But what most disturbed him was
the gas jet that stood out from the
green papered wall high above his
head That had been the finishing
touch at the hands Of his enemies.
He could hear the steady hiss of the
escaping gas as It poured out into the
narrow room where he lay. It seemed
as venomous as the hiss of o serpent.
He worked and foundsred about
until he was in a sitting position.
Then he worked his way closer to the
enamel bathtub. leaning, painting and
helpless over it's edge, for moment
or two. as a drunken man leans over
a cell cot. Then energy again revived
in him. He slowly and painfully
edged further and further over into
the bathtub, like q cutworm round
ing a leaf edge, until with his fore
head he was able to push and bunt
the loose drain plug into It's socket.
Then, once more withdrawing from
the bathtub, he directed his attention
to the nearer OF the two taps that
stood at it's head. He had the use of
tap. But by the pressure of his own
skull against the furnished brass tap
handle he was finally able to throw
the faucet open. Then he sank wear
lily back to the floor, for his head was
swimming dizzily and bands of steel
seemed constructing his chest.
He lay there watching as the water
from the overlooking tub trickIed to
the floor, pooled in the worn undula-
tons Of the boards, and crawled on
again, In search OF some avenue OF
escape. And he watched 1t as It
moved. for on its sinuous back, he re-
membered. 1t carried his message of
deliverance, his hope OF life. Finding
an unused ventilator fue. the water
fountained joyously down on the
head of a long haired artist hard at
work on a canvas.
That artist. after speechlessly con-
templating the deluge. ran shouting
to the hallway, where he was Joined
by his model and by fellow artists
from neighboring studios. And that
noisy band. finding their homes and
treasures thus threatened. lost no
time In searching out the source and
fountain head Of 90 calamitouE an
Invasion.
y y y
When they found their fnvestiga-
tions barred by q locked door. they
broke 1t In. While they ware shining
suspiciously about the outer room.
however. their efforts to reach the
source OF that deluge were being an
ticipated by q more steaithy figure.
which. clambertng monkeyiike up the
narrow iron fire escape. climbed still
higher to the small window and
promptly broke It In.
Manley. Toasing himself at the
sharp sound OF the breaking glass.
turned about to behold the face OF a
narrow-eyod and dark skinned
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him Even as he stared up at this
exotic face with Its uncanny fringe
OF let black hair he saw the unknown
intruder draw q slender tube from
under his coat. To this tube the
stranger lifted a. small arrow scarcely
longer than n darning needle Then.
placing the tube to his mouth. he
sent the slender dart whlstling down
through the air. whore IL rlxed Itself
i'm the wooden flooring not three
inches from Margory 0olden's head.
Instinetlveiy. as Maniey witnessed
that incomprehensible attack. aa he
vaguely awokc to the meaning OF the
strange performance. he erawied q
the girls side. There no tried &
shield her helpless body with hl'
own. And at the same moment tina
he drowsily heard the heavy blows o.
his reseuers as they stormed ths
locked door keeping him q prisoner