There he could
tie a bit of string to the emergency switch, watch the first movement
of the descending cage, and shut off the current at the right moment.
That would mean that the descending cage, robbed of its power, would
hang a dead weight in its steel channel, the safety brake would
automatically apply itself, and anybody within the cage would remain
locked and imprisoned there, halfway between floors, helpless to
descend or ascend, hemmed in by the four blank walls of the shift.

He decided not even to waste time on twisting up a table-cover. He
would hang by his right hand, and drop to the bottom. But a sudden
glint and flutter of light reminded him of his danger. The cage was
descending.

It was only a matter of seconds before MacNutt stepped once more from
the cage into the billiard-room, yet as he did so he saw nothing but
the still limp and relaxed form of Durkin, huddled back in his huge
chair, emitting from between his half-parted lips an occasional weak
groan of pain.

A gloating and half-demoniacal chuckle broke from the newcomer's lips.
In one hand he carried a decanter of brandy, in the other a seltzer
siphon. Durkin could hear the gurgle and ripple of the liquid into the
glass; a moment later he knew that MacNutt was bending over him.

"Here, you, wake up out o' that!" he said, with still another chuckle
of ominous glee.

He shook the relaxed figure roughly.

"Get awake, there! This is _too_ good--this is something you can't
afford to miss, you damned welcher!"

He poured the scalding liquor down the other's throat. Some of it
spilled and ran into the hollow of his neck; some of it dribbled on his
limp collar and his coat lapels. But Durkin took what he could, and
was glad of it. The pain of his wounded arm was very acute.

"Kind o' recalls our first meetin', eh?" demanded MacNutt, as he
watched the other slowly open his wondering eyes. "Kind o' remind you
of the day I loosened you up with brandy and seltzer, that first time I
had to drag and coax you into this dirty business?"

And again his captor laughed, wickedly, mirthlessly.

"Go on, take some more! I'm goin' to give you enough to light you all
to glory!" he gloated. And still he poured the liquor down the
unresisting man's throat.

He dragged the other to his feet.

"Come on now, quick! There's a little scene waitin' for you
upstairs--something that'll kind o' soothe and console you for gettin'
so done up!"

They we