"
Rudolf's hands were indeed occupied; one held Bauer's arm, now no
longer with a friendly pressure, but with a grip of iron; in the
other the captive saw the revolver that had till now lain hidden.
"You see?" asked Rudolf pleasantly. "You must ring for me,
mustn't you? It would startle them if I roused them with a shot."
A motion of the barrel told Bauer the direction which the shot
would take.
"There's no bell," said Bauer sullenly.
"Ah, then you knock?"
"I suppose so."
"In any particular way, my friend?"
"I don't know," growled Bauer.
"Nor I. Can't you guess?"
"No, I know nothing of it."
"Well, we must try. You knock, and--Listen, my lad. You must
guess right. You understand?"
"How can I guess?" asked Bauer, in an attempt at bluster.
"Indeed, I don't know," smiled Rudolf. "But I hate waiting, and
if the door is not open in two minutes, I shall arouse the good
folk with a shot. You see? You quite see, don't you?" Again the
barrel's motion pointed and explained Mr. Rassendyll's meaning.
Under this powerful persuasion Bauer yielded. He lifted his hand
and knocked on the door with his knuckles, first loudly, then
very softly, the gentler stroke being repeated five times in
rapid succession.
Pages:
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194