The Washington times., 1906-11-11
The Case of the Conpict Code.

deliver the parcels, and afterward con-
trived at times TO secretly remove from
the convict's cell some portioas OF the
well. call it the convict code"
quite a proper name. Jimmie. I'm
sure"
There Is the result" added Cole
man. with a glance at the Uttered
table But Burrage after a month Of
quiet work upon these odds and ends,
confesses himself bafned. He can
make no head or tail to this secret
code, if such il is, and stated 10 me
that he next should make charges
against the convict. and attempt TO
force him into confessing the whole
business"
Has he done so" demanded Boyd
abruptly.
Not yet"
1T would be a foolish move. Jim
mie. and serve only to end the secret
correspondence, said Boyd decisiveIy.
Better far interpret these communi-
cations, ii possible, and discover their
design. 1t looks as If a plot Of some
kind was being formed. and immediate
advantage should be taken of these
things 10 learn of what il consists,
and to round up the offenders"
Coleman laughed and nodded
That's what I told Burrage." said
he 4 also told him that YOU were
the very man to undertake the job
and he leaGily consented to disclose
nothing at present. and to let you ex-
anime these articles"
Not bad plan, perhaps"
"Other reasons, Felix. Of special in
terest 10 you, led me 10 propose it,
added Coleman, with dry significance.
What do YOU mean, Jimmie?'
"Burraee has discovered that our
old acquaintance, Jessie Dole. was the
sender OF these missives."
The dickens,'
And the convict who received them
was none other than Paul wykoff,
sent up for the Trinity Trust burg
larry"
Both members OF the Big Fingers
gang" cried Boyd eXCitedIy BY
Jove, Jimmie, there may be more for
as in this than appears on the sur
face Il may provide the very clue
l have long been seeking"
80 / surmised Felix"
Il would give half 1 possess to land
just once more in the stronghold of
that scoundrel and his gang" cried
Eoyd, with augmented feeling. If
ever do. and he again escapes me.
I'll throw up my vocation"
"Oh, no, youu not, Felix laughed
Coleman. amused at Boyd's momeu-
tary display of bitterness. ''YouI
never quit till You have landed b
Finger behind prison bars. I'll go my
pile on that"
We'll, probably not Jimmie after
an"
He's no ordinary knave, or you'd
have landed him long ago. and well he
knows IT, He would give as much to
down YOU, Felix, as you'd sacrifice TO
land him."
Very likely"
SO have "a care. dear fellow, or YOU
may be treated TO a knife thrust I'm
the back. lie is capable. of II, YOU
know"
Indeed. ] do, Jimmie, and I'm never
without an eve open" Boyd poiutedly
rejoined. Now let's see what we can
make of these hens tracks. III get at
their meaning, Jimmie If il takes a
leg"
With which grim observation ne
drew scraps OF paper and patseboard
toward him, and fell TO studying the
curious cipher with which they were
inscribed
The central office man lighted a ci-
gar. and for nearly half-au-hour sat
silently watching the changing expros-
siOns OF BOyds fOTceful, clean-cut
face. Then he ventured to ask:
What do you make of it, Felix?"
Boyd looked up sharply. much as if
he had forgotten the speaker was pres
ent.
Cant say yet" ne growled. a bit
impauentiy It's a secret cipher,
however. and l never yet saw one I
could not Interpret, 7 don't believe
that this viii floor me What's the
hOUr?"
Two o'clock"
Where can l meet you at six?"
You say"
At the central office. then. said
Boyd bluntly. Il must be alone here,
Jimmie. 80 get out. ! want precisely
four hours i'm which 10 decjpher these
scrawis. and IN see you again at six.
Away with you. / say! / must be
alone
Coleman nodded agreeab!y and with
drew, smiling broadly when he heard
Felix Boyd lock the office door beh nd
him, He knew well what il signified-
four hours of solitude and study, Of
hrain-racSing application that could
endure 10 interruption. a period of
mental concentration so strained and
iHtenserthat Boyd would emerge from
it .n state approaching physical coll
lapse and utter ereryatiou Not, how
ever. until the desired end had been at
tanned
That these Impressions on the part
of Jimmie Coleman Were entirely re-
liable appeared I'm the altered aspect
of Felix Boyd when he left his ofhce
al quarter after six. HIS collar was
wet and wlited his t!e awry. his fea-
tures pale and drawn. his lbs com
pressed. his hair disordered and his
broWs darlIly knit-bUt the restless fire
In his duated eyes was that of min
sled triumph and grim dete-n nation.
AS be emerged into Pine street, h. s,Ul
was intensely absorbed. aad o5livious
10 an observers.
The moment Boyd appeared upon the
street man in an opposite doorway
quickly drew back from view. fthen
stoIe forth furtively to watch him.
Z ne same man shadowed Coleman 10
Boyd $ office nearly FIVE hours before.
had seen him enter and depart. and.
since, had patiently fingered to await