The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-12-23
CHAPTER XVI.
Ietters From Ian


ztnni, known to the Secret Service as
an unaccredited agent of the Italian
government, and the self-confessed as
saflant of Senior Alvarez of the Mexi-
can legation, had been taking his ease
in cell. He had been formally ar
rafgned and committed without bail
to await the result Of the bullet wound
which had been inflicted upon the dip
lomatist from Mexico at the German
Embassy Ball, and, since then, undis-
turbed and apparently careless OF the
outcome, he had spent his time in
reading and smoking He had an
swered questions with only a curt yes
or no when he deigned to answer
them at all; and there had been no
callers or inquiries for him. He had
abruptly declined a suggestion of
counsel
Twice each day, morning and night,
he had asked question of the iailer
who brought his simple meals.
How is Senior AlVarez?"
HE is still in a critical condition"
The answer was always the same.
Whereupon the secret agent would
return to his reading with not
shadow of uneasiness OF concern on
his face.
Occasionally there came courteous
little note from Miss Thorne, which he
read without emotion, afterward cast
ing them aside or tearing them I'D.
He never answered them And then
one day there came another note
which, for no apparent reason, seemed
to stir him from his lethargy. Out
wardly it was like all the others, but
when Senior Petrozinni scanned the
sheet his eyes lighted strangely, and
he stood staring down at it as though
to hide sudden change of expression
in his face His gaze was concen-
trated on two small splotches of ink
where, it seemed, the pen had
scratched as Miss Thorne had signed
her name.
The guard stood at the barred door
for a moment, then started to turn
away. The prisoner stopped him with
a quick gesture
"Oh, Guard, may I have a glass of
milk, please?'' he asked mo ice. 1
prefer it tepid.''
He thrust a small coin between the
bars; the guard accepted it and passed
on. Then, still standing at the door,
the prisoner read the note again:
My Dear Friend:
q understand, from an indirect
source, that there has been a marked
improvement in Senior AIvarez's con-
dition, and l am fastening to send you
the good news. There is every hope
that within short while, if he con-
tinues to improve, we can arrange a
bail bond, and you will be free until
the time Of trial, anyway.
Might it not be well for Won TO
consult an attorney at once? Drop me
line to let me know you received
this Sincerely
ISABEL THORNE.'
Finally the prisoner tossed the note
on a tiny table in a corner of his
cell, and resumed his reading. After
a time the guard returned with the
milk.
Would it be against the rules for
me to write an answer to this?"
queried Signor Petrozinni, and he in
Dictated the note.
Certainly not" was the reply.
IF 1 might trouble you, then, for
pen and ink and paper?" suggested
the signor and he smiled a little. BE
Heve me, I would prefer to get them
for myself"
'I guess that's right" the guard
gTinned good-naturedly
Again he went away and the pris-
oner sat thoughtfully slipping the milk
He took half of 1t, then lighted a Gig
arctic, pulled it once or twice and per-
mitted the light to die. After a little
there came again the c1atter of the
guards feet on the cement pavement,
and the writing materials were thrust
through the bars.
Thank you" said the prisoner.
The guard went on, with nod, and
moment later the signor heard the
clangor of a steel door down the cor
ridor as it was closed and locked.
He leaned forward in his chair with
half-closed eyes, listening for a long
time. then rose and noiselessly ap
preached the cell door. Again he lis
tened intently, after which he resumed
his seat He tossed away the ciga-
rette he had and lighted a fresh one,
afterward holding the note over the
flame Of the match Here and there,
where the paper charred in the heat.
a letter or word stood out from the
bare witness Of the paper, and finally
q message complete appeared between
the innocuous ink-written lines The
prisoner read It greedily:
Am privately informed there is
little chance of A1varezs recovery.
Shall arrange escape for you, or have
ambassador intercede7 Would advise
former. a. the other might take