LOCKED IN.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12455, 3 February 1909, Page 1

LOCKED IN.

21 HOURS WITHOUT FOOD. . Amid all the competition to losecharacters effectively in. London (writes Mr H. W. Lucy) no ono seems to have thought of the simple device of putting a. person into a lonely waiting room with a door that refuses to open. Such an experience befell the wife of a well .known Londoner the other week. Having some time to wait for a tube train, she retired to a ladies' waiting room, some distance from the platform, and apparently but little used.' When she entered the dppr shut behind her and when she tried to open it the bolt absolutely refused to be moved. After much effort, she gave ■ it up, ■>!(1 screaming for assistance, but all in vain. ' She entered the room at ten in the morning and it was seven in the evening before she attracted the attention of a passer by, who opened the door by what means it is not stated. The rescuer was ' •! inspector, and the lady had naturally something caustic to say about; the company's locks. ' The inspector c was most sympathetic, but his solicitude for the company's interests compelled him to suggest that the lady had contributed towards the misadventure. "There is nothing easier than to open the bolt from the inside if only the bolt is handled properly," said he, with an . even-a-child-can-manage-it air. "If maaam will allow me I will show her." They_ entered the room/again, and the inspector closed the door. -"Now see," he said, putting his hand on the handle. But' the door refused to open. The inspector raised his voice to appeal for help, but the passing trains mocked Mm. To make the story short they spent 12' [ hours in the prison, only obtaining freedom when the, charwoman came on her founds next morning. The. lady had been twenty one hours without food. V ' ! .