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.