The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-15
Uhat 80
Reported.s


and the door closed after him.
1t was not the first time by a
good many that he had crossed
the threshold, but he had not be-
fore had any dealings with the pres
ent home secretary.
Captain Richmond?" the secretary
queried with quick scrutiny of the
face of his visitor, who returned the
look as he inclined his head. "Sit
down. sir. l am pleased to meet you.
| understand that you were commits
stoned by my predecessor to inquire
into the abuses in connection with the
control of Blackenham prison. and that
your inquiry was entirely successful.
l beleve"-with smile-"that you
were sentenced to four years. and
were liberated on a ticket leave, by
order of my predecessor, after eight
months incarceration. Have you since
reported yourself to the police, as you
are bound by the conditions of the
ticket to do?"
mo" Captain Richmond replied, Il
have not reported myself"
Good" returned the secretary, that
will facilitate matters. ! wish you If
you are at liberty and not disinclined
nal prison. and see If you can get
To- the root of the mystery there. If
you care to take up the matter and
are successful. you will not find this
office unGrateful. When will you be
ready for arrcst?'
THE day after tomorrow, If that
will suit"
every well. BE in Chandos street
between 3 and 4 o'clock on Wednes-
day morning, with a chsel and few
other handy burglars tools in your
pockets. Sergeant Crane will be
there to arrest you. as before. / will
arrange that you serve your sentence
at Shasnal"
How shall | communicate with
you?"
"One OF the visiting justices will
make a point of seeing you privately
| whenever he visits Shasnal," the secre-
tary replied. "You will say only as
little as necessary to the justice; what
| ever you tell him | shall know the
same day, so that if you have barred
| the matter to the bone you will be
able to see me with very little delay.
Have I made my wishes clear?"
Perfectly SO sir"
rs there anything l can do for
you?"
Nothing, unless you can expedite
my arrival at Shasnal. | am itching
to get there"
You are interested. Ell? Well. |
| cannot do much to expedite your sem
! tencc but what can be done judicious-
! ly shall, | promise YOU. The preimin-
| aries must, of course, he extremely
| annoying. | may add" the secretary
| said, holding out his hand, IF you
| carry this matter through successfully
you may rely upon any influence | may
| have in the matter of a queens mes
gership for which / see your name
! has been down some considerable
time"
"lll get To the root of the natter
Captain Richmond muttered. as he
walked toward the Strand, If it has
| a root"
"Thirty-ninc! DO you call that the
way to roll your bcd?"
| whats the matter with it?'
| mo back questions, please shouted
| the wardcr. "Or, as sure as your
nam13s 'Arris I'll dock your grub.
| Roll that bed now or report. Next
time, mind report"
| He slammed the door and went down
! the corridor.
when | get out of this and that
man is dismisscd--and I'll take good
care he is-lll waylay him and give
him one of the soundcst hidings he
| eyer had. The question is when shall
] get out of here? Five days of the
| five years gone and | don't see any
thing queer. still there's "A decent bal
ance left for discoveries"
The cell door swung open and an
other wardcr looked in.
"Thirty-nne, talking! Won't do, my
| lad--won't do"
Saying my prayers" replied Thirty
Say 'em to yourself, my lad." And
tine door slammed to again.
Early in the evening of the same
day the head warder looked into the
cell Thirty-nine.
"All right?' he inquired genially. as
he looked Thirty-nine carefully over.
Yes, thank YOU" the convict re-
sponded with some surprise.
Feel yourself as comfortable as al
Blackenham? 'Orrid ole. Blacken.
ham, Nearly as bad for the officers
as the prisoners. Was there foul
| SfdlS NY S'll.
Thirty-ninc pricked up his ears ner.
ously.
My names Williams" the wardel
continued with increasing affa ability
| "lsemCmber me? No? Well, p'hraps
not. Can't say | remembers you. But
we see so many new faces while you
don't, so ] thought you might remem-
bcr me. Stop, though. Weren't you
in for coming at Blackenham? 'Ouse.
breakin', eh? Well WELL every man
to is trade. But / seemed to connect
your face with "A prisoner we 'ad foi
Coinin' on a large sCalc--quitc a small
mint ed been. Sure you never tried
your and at Conin'? Well, well, is
must ave been my fancy then. Some,
body something like you, / suppose
Night"
What did he come fOr?" Thirty-ninC
asked himself. CLEARLY he had some
definite object. l must cultivate my
friend Williams"
But Williams did not show himself
again for some days and then adopt.
ed an entirely different manner.
II.
Thirty-nine had been in Shasnal pris.
on about three weeks, when the Jus.
tices paid their usual visit. He had moi
long to wait for his own call.
A tall, thin, lawyer-like man enter.
ed the cell, dismissed Williams with
a gesture and turned to the convict