Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-02-19
Twenty-Third lnstallment
XII
Copyright By me BoSbs-Msrrfi Co

Sound-Proof.
THE next moment they heard the
L sound Of a key. For some
reason this closet was supposed
to be kept locked what sort OF
closet was Il? Martins right hand
reaching into the corner rested on
a cane That might come in handy.
be thought, and he gripped IT,
The door swung open, letting I'm
quite a lot Of Light from the CORR
dor. but at the same time cutting
or his view or everything but the
inner face Of the door. He heard
q gasp from Rhoda and a growled
What the devil 7" In a mans voice
Conley'sl There was a click Of a
switch and the closet light came
on overhead.
so this IS where you've got 20,
n it," Conley said. Il had an
idea you were still on the prem
iseS Wei. the old man will be
glad we haven't lost you Come
out OF therei-
At that Martin shifted his grip
on the cane. noting as he did that
lis rubber shod ferrule vas heavily
weighted. and kicked shut the
closet door with n siam
The unexpected and unaccount-
able sound Of the door slammed to
behind him must have frozen Con-
ley for an instant for he and
Rhoda presented. as Martin first
saw them. the effect OF a tableau
vivant. Rhoda backed fat against
the waIl-only was 1t q wall or was
that middle panel In II N door,
Conley gripping her by one arm
In the midst OF his arrested at
tempt TO haul her away. The next
insant he turned. saw Martin. and
jumped for him
Martin. who had already short
ened his grip on the cane. know
ing that he wouldn't have ROOM
Ia that closet for q full swing,
met the rush With a backhand
stroke nc the side OF his assail-
ants head Thanks 70 the thick
rubber cap with which the ferule
was shod the INTACT was pracd-
cally noiseiess. but the big detec-
tive w1lted and wcat down under It
like a stock yards steer under the
maui.
Rhoda and Martin gazed at each
other aghaSt across him
TITS all right" Martin said.
ITS just another knockout. I
guess. I must have caught him
On the Jaw, too. Hell start con-
in~ to In a minute and then we
can beat Il out Of here
'swhen be opened the door,
Rh0da said. -he was coming
straight toward me as II he knew
I'd be standing right here But
he didn't know. because he jumped
when he saw me Martin. I can't
stand 1t Ike this Let's do some
thing. Can't we open the door7-
He didn't answer instantly. or
move He was looking mt the out
lined panel in what appeared to be
the wall behind her. She swayed
slightly and caught for support nc
the nearest clothes hooks: then Mt
tered a cry OF establishment ~ she
started to fall. not forward. but
hack. The thing she was leaning
against was n door and II was
swinging open behind her.
Martin sprang over Conley and
caught her. without q word the
two of them stood staring into the
strange little chamber which the
opening revealed staring and draw
ing deep breatks Of an air that
seemed. after the overwhelming
STIFFNESS OF the closet. fresh and
cool.
The place was oddly furnished.
fin a manner that suggested a stage
set It comprised one solidlooking
black oak. leather-seated chair IN
the mission style. more or less a
small square oak stool that evil
IDENTIFY served the occupant TO put
his feet on, an oak table with a
telephone OF the new cradle tyne
ON Il, and nm ash-ray. A proscen-
tuna arch. which wasn't an arch but
I'm ohlcsg opezhng. didn't come near
10 the floor Of the stage. It stopped
thirty inches above II. and Il wasn't
en- opening since IL was flled DIV
an enermous sheet OF plate class