When London Sleeps — page 186: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE ESCAPE ROOM, 181 CHAPTER XVII. THE ESCAPE ROOM. There were many peculiarities about Helliwell Mansion, some of which the police were cognizant of, and some of which they were not. Amongst the latter was an apartment on the ground floor which was known to the initiated as the ‘‘Escape Room.’? In the centre of this apartment, concealed bya large rug was a trap-door, beneath which flowed the dark silent waters of the Thames. ‘There was a rope ladder, and near by was always concealed a boat. This was intended as the last desperate way of escape for the ‘‘gang,’’ should the house ever be sur- rounded. } In this room sat Rodney Haynes. He considered it as good a place as any other for hin to remain in for a few days at least. It was in the evening, and he was alone in the house, save for one or two servants that had been retained to minister to his wants. He had been reading a newspaper, and thete was one item that had interested him greatly. This para- graph ran as follows: ‘‘Tmportant engagement of David Engleheart, the Star of the Air. ‘This celebrated gymnast will make his first appearance in London at the Indian Exhibi- tion o1 Saturday next.’’ comicbooks ee