The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-09-26

uIAL time uy good many Lhhl ne uhu
crossed the threshold, but he had not
before had any dealing with the pres
ent home secretary.
Captain Richmond" the secretary
queried with a quick scrutiny Of the
face of bis visitor, who returned the
look as be inclined his head. sit
down, sir. I am pleased to meet you.
/ understand that you were commits
toned by my predecessor to inquire
into the abuses in connection with the
control of Blackenham prison, and that
your inquiry was entirely successful.
l belieye"-with a smlle-"that you
were sentenced to four years and
were liberated on a ticket-of-leaye 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?"
mo" Captain Richmond replied, Il
have not reported myself
Good returned the secretary, that
will facilitate matters. | wish you, II
you are at liberty, and not disinclined
to return to prison life, to enter Smash
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 I'M
grateful. When will you be ready tor
arrest?"
THE day after tomorrow, if that will
suit"
Every well. Be in Chandos street
between 3 and o'clock on Wednesday
morning, with a chisel and a few other
handy burglars tools in your pockets.
Sergeant Crane will be there to ar
rest you, as before. I will arrange
that you serve your sentence at Smash
nal"
"How shall I communicate with
your"
zone of the visiting justices will
make a point of seeing you privately
whenever he visits Shashnal," the sec
rotary replied. You will say only as
little as necessary to the justice; what
ever you tell him I shall know the same
day. so that if you will be able to see
me with very little delay. Have
made by wishes clear?"
Perfectly so, sir"
'Ts there anything can do for your"
Nothing, unless you can expedite
my arrival at Shashnal. I am itching
to get there"
you are interested, Ell? Well,
cannot do much to expedite your SEN
tence, but what can be done judicious-
ly shall, l promise you. The prelimi-
naries must, Of course, be extremely
annoying. l may add" the secretary
said, holding out his hand, "if you car
ny this matter through successfully
you may rely upon any influence l may
have in the matter of a queens mes
sengership, for which see your name
has been down some considerable
time"
"I'll get to the root Of the matter,
Captain Richmond muttered, as he
walked toward the Strand, eff it has g
root?" 3
"Thirty-nine! Do you call that the
way to roll your bed?"
whats the matter with it?"
mo back questions, pleased" shouted
the warden, cor, as sure as your names
'Arris I'll dock your grub! Roll thai
bed, now, or report! Next time
mind report"
He slammed the door to and wen
down the corridor
Thirty-nine smiled blandly after him
when l get out Of this and tina
man is dismissed-and I'll take gooC
care he is-I'll waylay him and Civ
him one of the soundest hidings he eve
had The question is, when shall
get out Of here? Five days Of the fy
years gone, and I don't see anything
queer. Still there's a decent balanc
left for discoveries"
The cell door swung open and an
other warden looked in.
"Thirty-nine, talking! Won't Do -
lad-wont do" d 5
Saying my prayers" replied Thirty
nine.
Say EN- to yourself, my lad!
And the door slammed to again.
Early in the evening Of the Same da
the head warden looked into cell thirty
nine.
"All right?" ne inquired genially, a
he locked Thirty-nine carefully over.
Eyes, thank you" the convict re
sponded with some surprise.
Fell yourself as comfortable as q
Blackenham? Grid ole, Blackenham
Nearly as bad for the officers as tn
prisoners. Was there four years my
self"