| 153 | 154 | 155 | 156 | 157 |
| 1 | 65 | 129 | 194 | 258 |
|
www.freeclassicebooks.com
The footsteps died away. Tommy lay petrified with amazement. The object Annette
had thrust into his hand was a small penknife, the blade open. From the way she
had studiously avoided looking at him, and her action with the light, he came to
the conclusion that the room was overlooked. There must be a peep-hole
somewhere in the walls. Remembering how guarded she had always been in her
manner, he saw that he had probably been under observation all the time. Had
he said anything to give himself away? Hardly. He had revealed a wish to escape
and a desire to find Jane Finn, but nothing that could have given a clue to his
own identity. True, his question to Annette had proved that he was personally
unacquainted with Jane Finn, but he had never pretended otherwise. The
question now was, did Annette really know more? Were her denials intended
primarily for the listeners? On that point he could come to no conclusion.
But there was a more vital question that drove out all others. Could he, bound as
he was, manage to cut his bonds? He essayed cautiously to rub the open blade
up and down on the cord that bound his two wrists together. It was an awkward
business, and drew a smothered "Ow" of pain from him as the knife cut into his
wrist. But slowly and doggedly he went on sawing to and fro. He cut the flesh
badly, but at last he felt the cord slacken. With his hands free, the rest was easy.
Five minutes later he stood upright with some difficulty, owing to the cramp in
his limbs. His first care was to bind up his bleeding wrist. Then he sat on the
edge of the bed to think. Conrad had taken the key of the door, so he could
expect little more assistance from Annette. The only outlet from the room was the
door, consequently he would perforce have to wait until the two men returned to
fetch him. But when they did... Tommy smiled! Moving with infinite caution in the
dark room, he found and unhooked the famous picture. He felt an economical
pleasure that his first plan would not be wasted. There was now nothing to do
but to wait. He waited.
The night passed slowly. Tommy lived through an eternity of hours, but at last he
heard footsteps. He stood upright, drew a deep breath, and clutched the picture
firmly.
The door opened. A faint light streamed in from outside. Conrad went straight
towards the gas to light it. Tommy deeply regretted that it was he who had
entered first. It would have been pleasant to get even with Conrad. Number 14
followed. As he stepped across the threshold, Tommy brought the picture down
with terrific force on his head. Number 14 went down amidst a stupendous crash
of broken glass. In a minute Tommy had slipped out and pulled to the door. The
key was in the lock. He turned it and withdrew it just as Conrad hurled himself
against the door from the inside with a volley of curses.
155
Page
Quick Jump
|