This maneuver he had evidently been engaged in as soon as he heard voices and knocking outside, but he had been gagged with such brutal efficacy that his sole effort at speech was a species of whinny through his nose.
The detective's knife speedily liberated him; when he was lifted from the floor and laid gently on the bed, he remained there, quite speechless and overcome.
Steingall turned to the agitated chambermaid, whose eyes were round with terror, and who would certainly have alarmed the hotel with her screams had she come upon the occupant of the room in the course of her rounds.
"Bring a glass of hot milk, as quickly as you can," he said, and the girl sped away to the service telephone.
"Wouldn't brandy be better ?" inquired Devar.
"No.

Milk is the most soothing liquid in a case like this.

The man's jaws are sore and aching.

Probably, too, he is faint from fright and want of food.

If we can get him to sip some milk he will be able to tell us, perhaps, just what has happened." While they awaited the return of the chamber-maid, the party of rescuers gazed curiously at the prostrate figure on the bed.