The City of Fire - Page 69/221

He could dimly make out the back of a chair, and further against a

patch of light where the back window must be he could see the foot

board of a bed, the head of which must be against the opposite wall The

door was open about a third of the way. There was a key in the lock.

Did that mean that they locked the man in? It would be a great thing to

get hold of that key!

A moan in the direction of the bed startled him, and prodded his weary

mind. He gave a quick silent spring across in front of the door and

flattened himself against the wall. He knew he had made a slight noise

in his going, and he felt the stillness in the room behind the half

open door. Link had heard him. It was a long time before he dared stir

again.

Link seemed to lay down something on the floor that sounded like a dish

and start toward the door. Billy felt the blood fly to the top of his

head. If Link came out he was caught. Where could he fly? Not down

stairs. Shorty was there, with a gun of course. Would it do to snap

that door shut and lock Link in with the prisoner? No telling what he

might do, and Shorty would come if there was an outcry. He waited in an

agony of suspense, but Link did not come out yet. Instead he tiptoed

back to the bed again, and seemed to be arranging some things out of a

basket on a little stand by the bed. Billy applied an eye to the crack

of the door and got a brief glimpse. Then cautiously he put out his

stubby fingers and grasped that key, firmly, gently; turning, slipping,

little by little, till he had it safe in his possession. Several times

he thought Link turned and looked toward the door. Once he almost

dropped the key as he was about to set it free from the lock, but his

anxious fingers were true to their trust, and the key was at last drawn

back and safely slid into Billy's pocket. Then he looked around for a

place to hide. There were rooms on the front, and a door was open. He

could slide in there and hide. It was dark, and there might be a

closet. He cast one eye through the door crack and beheld in the dim

light Link bending over the inert figure on the bed with a cup and

spoon in his hand. Perhaps they were giving him more dope! If he only

could stop it somehow! The man was doped enough, sleeping all that

time! But now was the time for him and the key to make an exit.