The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-01-29

most ridiculous antics; but it stuck,
and for many minutes he could not
move 1t farther.
He was almost on the point of de-
spair when the box suddenly slipped
out and fell lightly to the floor. With
an exclamation of delight, Dick
dropped his legs. and began eagerly
searching for the box with his mouth.
He picked 1t up finally, and tried
TO open it with his lips and teeth, but
this was feat beyond him. Half in
anger at his failure, he crunched the
wooden box with his teeth and spilled
the matches out.
With another grunt of satisfaction
he fished around on the floor until he
had match in his lips. Holding it
firmly with his teeth, he tried to
scratch it against the chemically
treated strip But here again he met
with difficulty.
The light box constantly eluded
him. 1t would not remain stationary
long enough for him to scratch the
head of the match against it. Again
and again he essayed to light one.
Dripping with cold perspiration
and desperate at his failure, he tried
every trick he could think of, and only
gave 1t Up when exhausted. With a
groan he dropped down.
Now what all his skill had failed in
accomplishing accident performed for
him. In dropping his body back, he
landed plump on the box and com
pletely crushed in the sides that his
teeth had started.
Dick never knew how it occurred !;
but one match in the heap must have
been so placed that his body forced
the impregnated head against the
rough surface of the box.
There was flash and glare, and
the whole pile of matches was ignlt-
ed. The box itself took fire, forming
good-sized blaze. Startled at first,
Dick stared at the fire, and then real
izing that his opportunity was quick
~ passing he thrust his two hands
over the flame until the rope began
smoking.
1t was frightful ordeal, for the
flames made no exception to his
wrists, burning them as well as the
rope. He had to grit his teeth to hold
back cry Of pain, but with all the
stoicism he could command he waited
silently and patiently until box and
matches were consumed.
BY that time the rope was burning.
He waited as long as he could, watch
ing the flames eat their way through
strand after strand. Then with a,
mighty effort he jerked his hands
apart.
The rope parted near the middle,
freeing him SO he could tackle the rest
of his bonds with both hands. tx
tinguishing the fire, he began feverlsh-
ly to unfasten the rope that still held
his legs.
Once free and on his feet. he began
exercising his limbs to restore the cir
culation. Then he flung himself down
near the small aperture in the wall.
and began tearing at the rocks.
At first he made no perceptible
progress. but piece of rock the size
Of his fist finally yielded to his efforts.
A little examination showed him that
the wall was cracked and broken in
many places. and that by taking ad-
vantage Of these he could make better
progress.
Half an hour Of hard work made him
jubilant. The aperture was big enough
to admit u mans thigh. Renewing his
efforts he enlarged it little more.
Thrusting hand into the hole, he
found that beyond the mouth it was
deeper and wider.
1t was nearly an hour later before
he had the hole large enough to admit
his body. He crawled through eagerly
and tremhlingly. The sea air reached
his nostrlls now with strong salty
flavor.
Dick was, sure that the other end
opened into u sea cove. The thought
Of concealing his method of escape
came to him. So far as possible he
had to cover up his trail.
Returning to the cave he gathered
up the other ends of the rope and
thrust them into the opening Then
crawling in feet first. he gathered the
loose rocks up and walled up the open
ing as deity as possible.
He shuddered little when the last
ray of light was excluded. He felt
like man walled up In living tomb.
If there was no way of exit at the
other end. and If MCGEE should dis
cover his method of escape and seal
up the entrance, he would indeed be
imprisoned in living tomb without
chance of escape.
The horror of such finish sickened
him, and for a moment he hesitated.
He started to tear down the wall he
had constructed, but his panic lasted
only minute.
81 mustn't get cold feet" he rea-
soned with himself. There must be