The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-09-13

you were In a hurry to get out" thu
secretary said. with deprecatint
smile. I'm afraid you cannot hav.
discovered much in the time"
Il don't think l could have learnt
more had l remained" Richmond re.
| sponded. Il have drawn some surpriS.
ing conclusions, and the test must be
put from outside. | have only to wait
now for the reports concerning the
| movements Of coiners who have passed
through Shasnal."
Here are the records of three cases
! can get others for YOU if necessary.
Why you pick upon coiners | don't
| understand"
''On the other hand, these records"
Richmond returned, slight color
! mounting to his face. appear to con-
firm my suspicious. Does it not strike
you as being strange, sir, that each OF
these men left the country almost i'm
medately upon being released from
Shasnal? l note one went to Australia,
where he bought a small farm, which
he has since successfully cultivated:
another went to America, where he
quickly ran through a sum of money
winch was considerable for a man OF
his position, and then turned his atten-,
ton to forgery; the last went out to
Durham, bought the good will of q
small public house, and drank himself
to death. In this taste for emigration,
b;1h 10 box IN,
Shasnal to one convicted for coming.
| seem to see great deal to support
my conclusions
Which are?" interorgated the Sec
rotary.
That there Is secret mint at
Shashnal."
"Preposterous!" the minister ejacu-
ulated. "A mint In one of her mai
csty's prisons? Dear, dear! You must
lL,Ah o1 something more likely-more
POSSIBLE"
Pardon me; but l cannot think Of
anything more possible to a man In
the governors position, who had the
instincts of an enterprising criminal
He has every facility-immunity from
raids. unlimited strong cells, which
could readily be turned into work.
shops, a pretty regular succession OF
skilled coiners, whose assistance could
he bought for leniency and little
money 10 start them on their release
from prison, and whose secrecy could
be absolutely relied upon"
Looked at like that, 1t appears pos
sible; but it is rather risky to base
conclusions upon mere possibilities"
the secretary replied, with quiet cyni-
cism.
Il don't-at least, not entirely. War
der Williams attempted to discover
whether had done any coming. He
vas remarkably genial until he learned
that l had not, when he became surly
cllnost to brutality. He was remark
cbly genial to Seventy-eight and TWEEN
ty-four, who were the only men in
Snashnal who had any coming. These
two men were never in the labor yard.
Why? They always looked pictures of
health. Time after time I saw them
enter or leave the entrance of the base
nent cells, at the side of the governors
house, which were condemned three
years ago ay unhealthy"
"Ah: we have something tangible
IN the use Of the condemned basement
cells" the secretary said thoughtfully.
That matter shall be inquired into at
once. The best thing you can do is
10 Eend in your report. Captain Rich
mond, and then we can duly consider
he matter"
He rose, blandily. and held out his
hand.
Next day Captain Richmond received
l check for his services. He tore It UP
II disgust. and then wished he had not.
He was still debating in his mind
whether he could ask for another check
when he received an ofllcial document
appointing him a queens messenger
For time he was puzzled to know
Why he had been appointed. But he
vas not kept long in the dark, for he
vas called to the home ONCE, where
ho secretary graciously apologiEed tor
,eving secuted the coming theory.
'wo prison commissioners had visited
,hashnal to inquire why tho basement
ellis were being used. It was denied
hat such was the case. The commits
Ieners demanded to look over the
,aeement, No one knew whore the
leys were, Other obstacles were put
n the commissioners path, but every
hing was everruled and the basement
pened by force.
discoveries were made which left
o doubt that your conclusion was only
60 accurately drawn" said the secre-
airy, lowering between confidence and
E thence, "The governor resigned be-
ore the commissioners left, and the
equity governor was appointed as
tep-gap. The same evening raid
az made upon pawabroEsl shop
u Mile End, kept by Warder Williams
rother, and between G400 and $500
+ base coin was found there. Strange
D say, the police have been interested
q that shop for some time. owing to
he frequent complaints OF sailors. who
argely frequent it, that bad money
ad there been foisted upon them The
,,c:ro~, xr-oe On ovoo}1onf medium, far