Whoever those assassins might be, they had
departed, leaving only the helpless dead behind. No doubt they would
come again to remove the bodies, to seek refuge in this hidden hole.
But for the moment I was there undiscovered, and must utilize each
precious instant for discoveries and escape. Wild recklessness, a
desire to break away from those grewsome surroundings, overcame all
caution. Swiftly as I dared in the dense blackness I crept forward,
feeling the smooth wall with eager fingers, my right hand still
nervously gripping the revolver butt. Then I came to the door, similar
to the other, although no groping about would reveal the catch, or
enable me to force it open.
Again I struck a match, guarding the infant flame with both hands
against a slight draught which threatened its extinction. There was no
sound, no warning of imminent danger. All my coolness had returned,
and my every thought centered on quickly discovering the lock of the
door. Yet, even in that instant, I caught glimpse of a shadow on the
wall, and made one swift, automatic effort to leap aside, dropping the
fatal match. The movement was too late! Something descended crashing
upon my head, and I pitched forward into unconsciousness.
CHAPTER XX
TAKEN PRISONER
It must be I lay there practically dead for some time.
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