The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-02-25
Chapter 20
FATTY PLAYS AN ACE


 The sound within the dark room was very faint, an almost indefin- able sound-just sound of move ment.
 Her fingers touched and closed upon the doorknob, turned it, and the door swung open. And then while a second passed, she stood upon the threshold straining her eyes through darkness.
 Something bulked and took shape and form before her-a man was lying there on the floor in the cen ter of the room.
 Phil" she cried out almost in articulately.
 The next instant she was on her knees beside the figure on the floor. Her hands felt over the mans face-felt over the gag there. She reached then for the knots at theback of his head, and the man to aid her efforts, turned with diff ficulty upon his side. She began to struggle with the knots. They would not seem to yield. Her fingers seemed useless, clum things
 It was Phil, of course? It was too dark to see his face, but 1t must be Phil. The knots were yielding now. She tore the gag away.
 "Phill" she cried again. Tt IS you, Phil, isn't it?"
 eYes." He spoke with difficulty thickly. "Yes; but who are your She was feeling over the cords that bound his arms and legs. The knots here frightened her. They were too many and too hard toI her fingers. "Oh. never mind about who .aYngs she answered urgently. Have you got a knife?"
 "In my vest pocket--lower right. he said: and then; T know wfe you aresnow. I know your voice f1ou are-are Enid"
 "Yes," she said.
 She found the knife and, opening it began to cut and slash at the cords that bound him.
 eHoW did you know l was here?' he asked eagerly. How did you find me?'
 "There is no time for questions, she told him hurriedly "Batty Rost will be back at any moment" The cords around his arms ant body were freed now. and he raised himself to sitting position.
 "Batty!" he exclaimed. Full name Batty Rose. I've a small ac count to settle with Batty Rose He did me the honor of laying m out with a blackjack"
 "Oh!" She drew in her breatl sharply.
 50 he's gone out, has he? Bu that doesn't explain how you go inl" His voice was eager again. ; don't understand How did yo know anything about my bein here? How could you? r."
 "Pleasel" she protested. as sh continued to cut desperately at tn cords. oh, please don't ask ques tons now. There isn't a momen to spare"
 well, give me the knife, then, he said; I'll probably be able t do the rest quicker than you can
 He took the knife from her, an after a moment spoke again: "A sett Would you mind giving me boost up? I'm afraid I'm a lit stiff-circulation you know"
 Can you walk2" she asked ans iously, as she helped him to h feet.
 of course I can.1 he answers cheerily. He took a step forwal little unsteadily. leaning up( her. and then another. Tin n nearly so bad as I thought I'd be just cramped bit. By the tin we're downstairs I'll be able to a sprint.
 Before I go anywhere near far as that, there's something want to say to you. Enid, no ma ter how you knew about it, y must have run an appalling risk coming here-for me. I-
 There was throb in his vol that she dared not. must not list to. "You are not to talk apo that, either" she interrupted in most panic. We must get out this house just as quickly as can. Have you any matchesg'
 NO, I'm afraid not" he laugh shortly. "As a matter of fact, tha why I'm heSel"
 @why you're?' She check herself. There was no time tin1el Well, it doesn't matter much now-I mean about | matches she said hastily. "WeH able to find our way all right; ? with a light, even a match ligl