The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1921-09-16
CHAPTER xI-continued.


to the door. 1t was securely locked, Of
course, and could be forced open, If
at all, only by creating considerable
alarm. 1 stood, staring helplessly
about, feeling the im~pOssibility OF
escape. | could only wait for my Jail
ers to appear. impotent to aid myself
IN any way-or her. After all, that
last thought was the most impelling.
That they suspected Marie Gessler OF
being implicated in both murder and
robbery was clearly evident indeed,
they not only suspected, but were ron
vinced that she had done the deed.
was secretly obliged to admit that
they had some reason to so believe
that they even possessed proof which
would probably convict her in court
Of the crime. This gave them a ter
rible advantage Over the girl, once
they had her bodily in their possess
sion. Guilty or not guilty, she could
rot establish her innocence; under
torture and threat. such as they would
doubtless use in their money lust.
there was no Knowing what might
happen. Alone. helpless in the grasp
of thee INSCRIPTIONS crooks. her fate
might he death, disgrace. Certainly it
would he foul insult. and. II she failed
TO yield, the desire for revenge might
even drive those towards TO a secret
announcement Of her to the police.
This. however. would he their last re-
aOrt: they would exhaust all other
efforts first. And no one else know
of her danger: no n else was in
position to aid her: she must face
this gang absolutely alone unless
could effect an escape. It was not
merely my own life at stake; hers
WIS also In the balance
Anu the time in when to act was
short. If I escaped at all, it Haust
be accomplished before my jailers re-
turned. before they dreamed that
had aroused from unconsciousness. or
hail strength enough 10 make the
attempt. Yet what possible way
suggested itself? felt in my pockets ;
they were utterly empty, except for a
single overlooked bin. There was no
mems of egress other than the win
dow and that seemed hopeless. Yet
IN desperation I crossed over once
more. and again looked out. Could
J-laie I-attempt to cling to that
slight ledge In my stocking feet. even
FOR the n or two steps necessary
~ reach the next window? The very
conception of such a feat made my
head reel giddily and my stomach rise
In protest. Besides. even II | made
Il by some miracle. what IL that other
window should he closed and locked?
How could I ever move backward to
regain safety?
Yer. wait: there was a way. danger
sous enough to be sure, yet possible If
Il possessed the necessary nerve. There
we're opened blinds at each window !;
they would help some as grasping
epots for the hands. The Cne within
reach appeared solid enough. firmly
anchored to the easement, and secured
ia. the brick wall by means Of an iron
hook. Between the two the space to
he traversed was not wide; a single
stride on the ground beneath would
bridge the distance. II ! had som
thing 10 cling to ab0ve-anything that
would keep me upright might hold
my footing on the narrow stone and
make the passage slowly. II was a
daring. deadly venture, but possible.
But what could l hope to utilize as
. support The hare Q offered but
> aingie suggestioa-the dirty coverlet
which had been thrown over me. Tori
apart from. corner to corner, and
twisted into the form Of q rope, 1t
ought to safely sustain my entire
weight Ia case a foot slipped. /
otartpd 10 tear with my teeth. and thus
succeeded In ripping the thing from
end TO end. II wa scarcely long
enough for the purpose. which rom
pelIed me to nuke the moose CORE
ap0ndlngly small. However. with this
emprOyised iAssO gripped In my right
hand. I took position astride the sill
~ the window. In an endeaver to pro-
~ the lOosened end 0ver some pro-
fubeEance Of the blind beyond. BY
hOldlng tight to the frame with my
IN hand. the right was left free.
and 1 Vas enabled to lean out far
onOuGh to obtain q clear toss. There
Uae little the moose could catch on.
and enntinued failure left ne listaess
on1 discouraged. l lost hope. vet
k1ct NJ Il, and finally. to my surprise,
ring Of TIE cloth settled over an
bta3ectf0n az the hinge, and chung
\ extending STRAIGHT across from