The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-24

| two men dared make further attempts
at communication
When Phil awakened next morning he
dimly realized that there were but two
| days left before the death watch would
| be placed at his door.
He would not give himself up TO the
thought. but began talking in cheerful
strain to the others.
| Before long the conversation drifted
| back TO the little convict who had Killed
/ himself by snatching the BARRIERS razor.
The subject seemed to bother Roo-
| He broke In half a dozen times with
| the request that they talk about some
tnlng more cheerful
Phil began to feel that his cousin
had decided to escape for fear ne
would commit suicide II he stayed IN
the place any longer.
Surely the tragedy had had Won
derful effect upon him and he seemed
much more thoughtful and amiable
than before.
That night the singing was started
as usual. For some time neither Bob
but at length, feeling safe, Phil
|! scratched out the following on the wall;
Answer
When the next song was IN full
swing Bob made his reply:
Exercise tomorrow. VIII take a
look at window
Daring made out the reply with ease,
although it took some time for the
/
men had TO keep up their part of the
song.
Phil lay awake for long time. He
had something in particular on his
mind about which he wished to signal
70 Bob.
At length. having heard no move
! from the guard for half an hour, Phi
reached out a cautious hand and began
slowly to scratch on the wall
He felt that Bob was awake and
would receive the message, but first he
scratched the name Bob, to make
sure that his efforts would not be
wasted.
His name came IN reply and the2
Phil slowly worked out the following:
Don't try file. Try it on second ex-
eroise-.'i
Re wanted to warn Bob OF the fulfil
ity OF attempting TO file the heavy bars
to his door with the file comb, in the
short time that he would have for the
operation.
lay of the land and make his attempt
on the second day he was allowed ex-
ercise.
Bob's answer came shortly:
All right"
score. he fell asleep and did not awaken
until late the next day.
II was about o'clock that evening
when the guard approached Bob's cell
''This is the day for your weekly ex-
ercise. isn't it?'
Yes
''Well. haven't much tina. But I'll
give you fifteen minutes TO-DAY and I'll
make up for It on the next one"
"All right. That will SUIT me- was
the reply
Phil heard the cell door open. Then
the guard pulled down all the blinds
and marched up and down the corridor
with his prisoner.
Daring noted with satisfaction that
Bob's steps fingered always at the end
OF the hall where the window was.
Once the guard had ta order him to
turn about and march back.
The ceaseless tread ooctinued for
about ten minutes and then Daring
heard Bob marching toward the window
again. This time ne went farther. His
steps were slow, and Phil knew that
he was lingering purposely to get a
good Idea OF the distance the shed was
below and TO calculate the climb he
would have TO make up the chimney be-
side the wall
Coin 20 sleepg' the guards voice
broke out at that moment
Bob made no reply. Evidently he was
lost in contemplation Of his chances.
Come on, herei What's the matter
with your cried the guard. You've
stood BY that window long enough.
You'll break the glass staring through
10 as hard as that"