The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-03-29
HOW zUccHI BROKE JAIL.


derer, had been condemned to
death, and not even the mighty
power of the Sicilian Malta could
save him, for he had been inferred
in the dungeon of Santa Barbara,
near Palermo.
And yet Zucchi had boosted
that he would never stand before
the execution squad!
"Bombast," muttered the gov
ernor, struggling his shoulders, "He
tricked us once, when he walked
out of all as a workman, but this
time nothing can save him. A
week from today and Zucchi shall
stand up before II little soldiers of
NINE"
Zucchi had laughed, said the
keepers. And still he swore that
he would walk out free man. The
governor was amused; neverthe-
less, knowing of Zucchi's exploits,
he was little alarmed. For Zuc-
chi, acrobat, juggler, horse peddler,
triple murderer, the scourge of east
Sicily, would be a terror until he
was safe under ground.
They watched him in his half
dark and fetid dungeon cell at 10
minute intervals; nobody was per.
mitted to communicate with him
except the priest. 1t was true, the
priest was stranger sent by Zuc.
chis sister, peasant woman-but
what did that matter, since even
the priest was inspected, and Zuc.
chi could not walk out in the
priests clothes.
He may bring Zucchi knife
said the chief warden.
The governor smiled. If Zucchi
were bent upon suicide, he, the gov.
ernor, would consider it unsports.
manlike to interfere. He bore the
bandit no malice; he even secretly
admired him, as one brave man an.
other. All he desired was to see
Zucchi dead. And neither knife
nor AK nor rifle could win for Zuc-
chi way out of Santa Barbara.
The day arrived at last, the day
OF the execution. That the country
people might be assured that Zuc-
Chi was really dead, invitations
were issued to a numebr of persons
to witness the execution-to report
ers, delegates to the parliament
and the head men of Zuchcis city.
Now all were assembled and the
governor went in person at the
head of his wardens to bring Zuc-
chi from his dungeon.
The door was unlocked. The
governor staggered back with an
oath. The bandit was not there!
There was no place in which he
could be concealed, for the small,
bare cell offered no refuge. There
were the four walls of solid ma
sonry, the bare plan bed, the water
bowl, the wooden spool. But
Zucchi was away! And only 10
minutes before the warden had re-
ported that the bandit was Sleep
ing like a child upon his plank.
The rumor communicated itself
with lightning speed through the
prison. The governor was frantic;
the warden wrung their hands. AS
for the spectators, they ran hither
and thither, searching for Zucchi's
hiding place-all except the men
from his village, who did not con-
ceal their joy. He had not passed
the sentries upon the walls; but he
was not there!
Several hours later, when 1t
was ascertained that Zuccbi was
beyond doubt, outside the prison,
the spectators departed, the gov
ernor sent in his resignation, and
new prisoner was thrust into the
cell. Then it was that a discovery
was made, which did not seem,
however, to throw much light on
the mystery. Upon the floor of the
cell was found large piece of
plate glass, backed with quick
silver.
Seven days afterward Zucchi
was back in the mountains, feted
by the inhabitants of his village,
who regarded him as something
supernatural. He did not resume
his life of brigandage, however.
but mysteriously disappeared. 1t
was not until a year later that the
mystery was solved by the receipt
of letter from the United
States.
"You will pardon me, my dear
signor, for so unceremonious a de-
parture," the letter ran. Assured
of your good wishes l will explain
to you the method of my depart
ure from your hospitable home. 1t
was simple optical effect learned
by me when acting as humble
juggler in the troupe of the illus
trious Mr.. Barnum.
"As you may know, my patron
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