The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-08-13
again for some days. and then adopted
an entirely different manner.

Thirty-ninc had been IN Shasnal pris-
on about three weeks, when the Jus
tices paid their usual visit. He had
not long to wait for his own call.
A tall, thin, lawyer-lilte man entered
the cell, dismissed Williams with
gesture, and turned to the convict. He
drew Thirty-nine to the further end
of the cell
IL am directed by the home Office to
carry any communications you have
TO make he said, in q whisper. Il
have pen and paper. If you want to
write. But be prompt"
Thrty-nine took the sheet Of note
paper and the fountain pen, and
wrote few hurried lines:
II want a complete list of convic-
tions against prisoners rs and "a, now
here; also any other facts bearing upon
the nature OF their crimes. Sooner,
the better. Convey through chaplain,
who Is honest"
He dried the note on the slip of
blotting paper between the leaves and
handed it to the justice.
A moment later he was alone in his
cell again.
1T sounds a wild notion, | must ad-
nit" he thought, "a very wild notion.
Perhaps | am wrong. But it is queer
that "a and rs are never at labor, and
that they alone are never taken near
the governors house. There may be
dozen reasons for 1t, and 1t may have
no possible connection with Williams
first visit to me, but there Is something
radically wrong and l see no other
peg on which to hang my suspicion
than the privileges of these two men
and what Williams said to me. He has
never given me or anyone in my hear
ing q civil word or look since"
Thirty-nine had to wait until the
next visit from the justices for his an
swer from the home Office, and in the
meantime he had discovered little that
supported his suspicious. But the let
ter the justice brought him gave him
the utmost satisfaction.
1t gave a list Of convictions against
the two prisoners whom Thirty-nine
had inquired about. Starting as q boy,
with petty larceny, Seventy.eight had
turned to burglary, purse snatching.
long-firm frauds and coming.
Twenty-four, a younger man, was the
son Of the notorious Jim Crow" His
first conviction was for stealing lead
piping from an empty house. He was
known to have assisted his father in
ayfaneiya counta tarf,.it ooi ~ ~ a 4, oh nv, n,
and, upon the death Of Jim Crow" in
herited $4,000 or $4,000, with which
he started himself as o bookmaker.
He lost his money. and was mobbed for
"welshing" at the Liverpool meeting in
1S-. Next he was arrested for at
tempting to pass bad money in Not
tingham, where large quantity of
base coin had been circulating for
period which corresponded with the
length of time he had been in the town.
Later he was sentenced to four years
for passing base coins.
ANY message to take back? You
had better not keep this paper" said
the justice.
NO. Will you return it to the Of
fee? | will write message back"
lie took pencil from his visitor, and
wrote
"Endeavor to trace movements of
every coiner who has passed through
here-movements since they left. Want
my discharge, for time being"
Three days later warden entered
the cell of Thirty-nine and threw
down upon the pallet bundle of
clothes. They were Chose in which
Thirty-nine had entered the prison.
you've got to change an come to
the governors" ne said.
Thirty-nine changed and followed
the warden down the corridor, across
the central hall, into the governors
ofice.
The governor sat at his table, and
two men in ordinary clothes stood by.
You're transferred to Portland.
Thirty-nine, under an order from the
home Office" said the governor. These
officers are here to fetch you. II you
give me your word not to molest them
or attempt to escape you shall not be
handcuffed."
Il won't get up to no game, sir, and
thank you," Thirty nine replied.
He was struck by the fact that his
escort were in plain clothes. But it
occurred to him that prisoners were not
then conveyed from prison to prison
in their convict dress, as had been the
rule, and it was therefore only consist
ent that wardens should not be III their
uniform, or the spirit of the reform
would be lost.
His custodian ushercd him into a fly
that was waiting in the prison yard.
and, as they took their seats facing
him, the elder man smiled, and said
quietly:
81 expect you can see through
this, sir?"
II think So" Thirty-nine replied.
I'VE shall take you to the station, IL
you've no objection, or the the driver
may smell rat. There is a first-class
to London, and two sovereigns | was
instructed to hand you for your re-