remarked.

"Seems to be," replied Knox. "General condition. Acts as though the
main arteries had been cut outside."

"Inside bells? House phones?" suggested Darrow.

The repair men came in double-quick time and great confidence. They
went to work in an assured manner, which soon slackened to a slower
bewilderment. Some one disappeared, to return with a box of new
batteries. The head repair man connected a group of these with a small
bell in the executive office. The instrument, however, failed to
respond.

"Try your ammeter," suggested Darrow, who had followed.

The delicate needle of the instrument did not quiver.

"Batteries dead!" said the repair man. "Jim, what the hotel-bill do you
mean by getting dead batteries? Go back and bring a new lot, and _test_
'em."

In due time Jim returned.

"These test to fifteen," said he. "Go to it!"

"Test--nothing!" roared the repair man after a moment. "These are dead,
too."

Percy Darrow left the ensuing argument to its own warmth. It was growing