The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-02-17

the Jail Tho Bilker was confined IN
q cell by himself. and after the turn
key had let me In and locked tho door
after me. he passed me a key through
the grating. saying:
Il shall be busy IN another quarter
for half an hour. and may not be with
in reach when you want 10 leave. Here
Is duplicate key 10 this cell door,
when you are ready 70 30 you can let
yourself out and relock the door be-
hind you. Then show yourself az the
large grated door next the main cor.
rldor. and one OF the oth,r turkeys
viii let you out"
I didn't know how eagerly he had
heard every word the turnkey had said
TO mel But stood there and told him
who I was. though he knew me well
enough. and what ! wanted TO tell
him. lie grunted once or twice before
IVES through. In way that didn't
mean anything. and when had said
all wanted 10. he muttered something
about having time to think OF Il.
20. yes" says !. you can have tlll
tomorrow at this time. Think Il all
over. and you1l conclude that you'd
better agree III come for your an.
swer then"
turned and put the key IN the lock.
and while was turning It. a tremen.
dous blow from behind crushed me
down to the floor senseless.
staggered 10 my feet few minutes
after, as Il has since appeared. Ny
head was dizzy and aching horribly.
and the blood sireamed down my cheek
from cash over the temple: but
had no thought for my Injuries Jus,
then. The stool with which had been
Frustrated had been thrown down at
my feet. with a clot Of blood on the
edge Of the seat; my coat hat and
cane we're missing. and Bilker John
with them. The cell door was locked
and the key gone.
raised an cutlery forthwith. which
was presently responded 10 by a hub.
/ hub In the corridor the sound Of
voices and the tramplnE Of feet. Pres.
entity the door was opened. and was
released, while Mr. William Grebb was
thrust back again into confinement.
this time with his hands closely lroned
His game was a bold one. and Il al
most succeeded. Hastily donnlng my
coat and hat. pulling the collar up
about his chin and the hat down over
his eyes. he had taken my cane and
closely initiating my walk. had perfect
~ imposed upon the turnkey At the
grating and got outside. Ills way
thence lay through the shcrlns Office
and there Il no doubt that be- would
have succeeded In passing into the
street with this disguise. undetected
but for the circumstance that one OF
the force. knowing where I was. was
waiting IN the ONCE TO see me when
I came out When the escaping prls-
oner appeared he rose and called him
by name Grebb. not delgnlng 10 re-.
ply. fearing that his voice would be.
tray him. walked straight ont OF the
door without taking any notice Of the
! greeting.
The oficer instantly followed him.
thinking such conduct rather strange
for me. and when he reached the side
walk he saw my double disappearing
on a run round the next corner. A
suspicion Of the truth flashed upon the
ofiieer. and raising the alarm he gave
chase Immediately The pursuit was
hot aud ended In the backyard Of a
dwelling house. where the prisoner
was run down and captured, but not
without a sharp struggle.
Mr.. Bilker John. alias William Grohh
was duly brought TO trial. and prompt
ly convicted. lie did not take the
benefit Of the plea Of guilty. and the
district attorney did not recommend
him 10 mercy lie received about the
full penalty Of the law. and has 1--WE
years Of his term Jet 10 serve. And !
say he'd better not come back again
when he takes on his striped clothes
or II he does. he'd better be mighty
careful OF his doings. / think myself
quite a match for him now. trough. a.
said, never knew 40 adrolt a rogue