237

Marine Knott begins his descent to the basement while you race up the stairs to a landing on the first floor where a corridor stretches away into the darkness. To your right is a door, slightly ajar, which bears the faded words El Paso Journal—News Room on its panelled wood surface. You enter to discover a large, dusty room cluttered with desks and computer terminals. A fire escape sign catches your eye: it is positioned above a window on the far side of the room.

A noise on the stairs makes your heart skip a beat: someone is approaching. Hurriedly you weave your way through the maze of office furniture, taking great pains to avoid making a noise, only to discover that the fire escape window is jammed shut. A light shines across the door and you hear the snuffling whine of a bloodhound in the corridor outside.

If you wish to smash the glass and escape through the window, turn to 153.

If you decide to hide among the desks, turn to 9.