l out. She felt it was an
undignified thing to do, and, too, she felt it would do no good, but
there was no other course to pursue, that she could see.

So she called, gently at first, and then more loudly, but, as she had
anticipated, there was no response. Going close to the door, she
called again and again, and then concluded it was useless.

She threw herself into an easy chair, thoroughly angry with Ray Rose,
and chagrined at herself for being led into such a trap.

"I might have known there was some trickery," she thought, "when that
girl called me over here at the last minute. And she was so sweet and
friendly today, it should have put me on my guard. Elise warned me,
but I never dreamed of anything like this. However, now is no time to
worry over that, I must get out,--that's what I must do, get out!"

But it seemed hopeless. The case was so simple, that there was no
opportunity for ingenious schemes. There she was, in the beautiful
room, with the only exit to the house, the hall door, securely locked.
The door was of solid mahogany, the knob and lock of a most secure
firmness. Had it been a light or flimsy door, Patty would have rattled
and shaken it, but this door was solid as a rock. Either, she would
have to think up some clever plan, and that quickly, or spend the
entire evening there in solitude. Her quick mind took in these
alternatives, and she thought that if no idea presented itself soon,
she would succumb to the inevitable, and quietly settle down for the
evening. There were pleasant-looking books about, soft couches and
pillows, convenient reading-lamps, and even a box of chocolates on a
table. Matters might be worse, thought philosophical Patty. But she
hated to give up,--to acknowledge herself beaten.

Once again she opened a window, and looked out. It was on the side of
the house, and toward the rear.

The house was not set back far from the street; indeed, the sidewalk
was not more than forty feet from the window out of which Patty leaned.
An idea came to her, and going quickly to the table she found a sheet
of paper and a pencil. There was no desk in the room, and she felt
herself lucky to find these things at all. She hastily scribbled a
note, but she made it urgent and definite. Then she looked around for
a missile which she could throw to the street. There were few things
that were available, and she finally selected a heavy hairbrush as the
best. It was of ivory and