The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-05-24

to answer them at all; and there
had been no callers or inquiries
for him. He had abruptly de-
olined. a suggestion of counsel.
Twice each day, morning and
night, he had asked a question OF
the iailer who brought his simple
meals.
"How is Senior Alvarez?"
He is still in a critical condi.
ton" The answer was always
the same.
Whereupon the secret agent
would return to his reading with
not a shadow of uneasiness OF
concern on his face.
Occasionally there came a cour.
teous little note from Miss Thorne
which he read without emotion
afterward casting them aside oil
tearing them up. He never an.
swered them. And then one day
there came another note which
for no apparent reason. seemed
to stir him from his lethargy
0utwardly II was like all the 9th.
ers, but when Signor Petrozinni
scanned the sheet his eyes lighted
strangely, and he stood staring
down at It as though to hide a
Sudden change of expression In
his face. His gaze was concen-
trated on two small splotches of
ink where, 1t seemed. the pen had
scratched as Miss Thorne signed
her name.
The guard stood at the barred
door for a moment. then started
to turn away. The prisoner stop
Iped him with a quick gesture.
"Oh, Guard, may l have a glass
of milk, please?" he asked. mo
ice. / prefer 1t tepid."
He thrust small coin between
the bars; the guard accepted II
and passed on. Then, still stand
ing at the door. the prisoner read
the note again:
"Mr. Dear Friend:
8 "I understand, from an indi-
rect source, that there has been a
marked improvement in Senior AL
yarez's condition, and / am has
tening to send you the good news.
There is every hope that within
a short while, If he continues to
improve, we can arrange a bail
bond, and you will be free until
the time of trial anyway.
I Might it not be we'll for you
to consult an attorney at once?
Drop me a line to let me know
you received this.
Sincerely,
ISABEL THORNE."
Finally the prisoner tossed the
note on a tiny table in @ corner
of his cell. and resumed his read
ing. After a time the guard re-
turned with the milk.
would it be against the rules
for me to write an answer to
this?" queried Signor Petrozinni,
and he indicated the note.
Certainly not" was the reply.
"If l might trouble you, then,
for pen and ink and paper?" sug-
gested the signor and he smiled
a little. believe me. l would
prefer to get them for myself"
81 guess that's right" the
guard grinned good-naturedly.
Again he went away and the
prisoner sat thoughtfully slipping
the milk. He took half of it,
then lighted a cigarette, puffed it
once or twice and permitted the
light to die. After a little there
came again the clatter of the
guards feet on the cement pave
ment. and the writing materials
were thrust through the bars.
Thank you," said the pris-
oner.
The guard went on, with a nod,
and a moment later the signor
heard the clangor of a steel door
down the corridor as 1t was closed
and locked. He leaned forward
in his chair with half-closed eyes,
listening for long time. then
rose and noiselessly approached
the cell door. Again he listened
intently, after which he resumed
his seat. He tossed away the
cigarette he had and lighted