gh+page+23

Page 23 By making a tremendous effort you’re able to get to your feet, then hobble around, twisting and turning. You can feel the ropes beginning to work loose. You keep struggling. You have to rest every once in a while—breathing is difficult through the burlap bag. At last you work one hand free, then the other. In a few moments you’re able to pull the bag up over your head. You work the ropes loose from around your legs. You’re sore, bruised, and exhausted, but you’re free! Stumbling around in the dark, you kick something—the flashlight! You pick it up. It still doesn’t work right. But at least it flickers on when you shake it. Then you hear a voice groaning at the bottom of the stairs. The man who attacked you must be regaining consciousness. If you go into the cedar closet and try to find the diamonds, turn to page 10. If you try to get out of the house right away, turn to page 33