Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-09-17
What 80 Reported.


Captain James Richmond was ush-
cred into the room in silence, and the
door closed after him. 1t was not the
first time by good many that he had
crossed the threshold, but he had not
before had any dealing 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. I am pleased to meet you.
understand that you were commits
ioned by my predecessor to inquire
into the abuses in connection with the
control of Blackenham prison, and that
your inquiry was entirely successful
believe"-with a smile-"that you
were sentenced to four years, and
were liberated on ticket-of-leave by
order of my predecessor, after eight
months incarceration. Have you since
reported yourself to the police, as you
are bound to by the conditions OF the
ticket to do?"
'No," Captain Richmond replied, i
have not reported myself
Good" returned the secretary, that
will facilitate matters. l wish you, II
you are at liberty, and not disinclined
to return to prison life, to enter Shash-
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 success
full, you will not find this office un-
grateful. When will you be rI.,'.y for
arrest?"
"The day after tomorrow, if that will
suit
Every well. Be in Chandos street
between and o'clock on Wednesday
morning. with a chisel and few other
handy burglars tools in your pockets.
Sergeant Crane will be there to ar
rest you, as before. l will arrange
that you serve your sentence at Shash-
nal''
How shall I communicate with
you?"
Zone of the visiting justices will
make point of seeing you privately
whenever he visits Shashnal," the sec
retary 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 will be able to see
me with very little delay. Have l
made by wishes clear?"
Perfectly so, sir"
''Is there anything can do for you?
Nothing, unless you can expedite
my arrival at Shashnal. am itching
to get there"
"You are interested, eh? Well.
cannot do much to expedite your SEN
tence but what can be done judicious-
ly SHALL promise you. The prelimi-
naries must, of course, be extremely
annoying. l may add" the secretary
said, holding out his hand If you car.
S7Hsn
you may rely upon any influence may
have in the matter of a queens mes
sengership, for which l see your name
has been down some considerable
time"
'Fll get to the root of the matter,
Captain Richmond muttered, as he
walked toward the Strand, IF it has
root7"
"Thirty-nine! Do you call that the
way to roll your bed?"
whats the matter with it?"
''No back questions, please!" shouted
the warden, "or, as sure as your names
'Arris I'll dock your grub! Roll that
bed, now, Or report! Next time,
mind, re-, ,orti"
He slammed the door to and went
down tie corridor.
Thirty-nine smiled blandly after him.
when get out of this and that
man is dismissed-and I'll take good
care he is-I'll waylay him and give
him one of the soundest hidings he ever
had. The question is, when shall
get out of here? Five days of the five
years gone, and I don't see anything
queer. Still there's a decent balance
left for discoveries"
The cell door swung open and an
othe,. warden looked in.
'J hirty-nine, talking! Won't do, my
lad-won't dol"
Saying my prayers" replied Thirty
nlne.
"Say 'em to yourself. my lad"
And the door slammed to again.
Early in the evening of the same day
the head warden looked into cell thirty
nine.
Gall right?" he inquired genially, as
he locked Thirty-nine carefully over.
Eyes, thank you," the convict re-
sponded with some surprise.
Fell yourself as comfortable as at
Blackenham? 'Orrid ole, Blackenham!
Nearly as bad for the officers as the
prisoners. Was there four years my
SELF"
Thirty-nine pricked UP his ears
nervously.
"My names Williams" the warden
continued with increasing affability.
Remember ne. No? Well, p'raps
not Can't say remember you. But
we see so many new faces while you
don't, so l thought you might remem-
ber 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 prisoner we 'ad for
coinin' on a large scale-quite a small
mint ed been Sure you never tried
your 'and at coinin'? No? Well, well,
1t must ave been my fancy, then.
Somebody something like you, | sup
pose. Night"
What did he come for?" Thirty
nine asked himself. Clearly he had
some definite object. I must cultivate
my friend Williams.
But Williams did not show himself
oooin for some dayS and then adODted