CHAPTER XXXII.
THE DEAD ALIVE.
Franklin knew very well that it would not do for him to remain on the scene longer. He was but a boy against two men, and it would only be a question of time as to when they would get the better of him.
The young electrician was, however, unwilling to leave Mrs. Bliss to her fate, not knowing what Montague Smith would do in his present state of mind.
Out into the hallway flew the pair, and then Franklin led the lady down the stairs as quickly as her trembling limbs would permit.
"I haven't walked down stairs in years," she explained. "They kept me in that room day in and day out."
The two had hardly reached the lower hall when they heard one of the men come out of the room above.
"Stop! stop!" came in the voice of Montague Smith. "Stop, Mrs. Bliss; that boy is only getting you into trouble!"
