The Farmington times., 1911-10-19
CHAPTER xVll.-(contlnued.) }

lie was bribed." was the ready re-
Iponse Now, Warden" the mashed
Intruder continued pacilcally, ut
would be much more pleasant all
around and there would be less per
sonal danger In It for both of us II
you would release Slgnor Petrozlnni
without question, | may add that no
bribe wac offered to you because your
Integrity was beyond question"
Thank you" said the warden grim.
J, and It shall remain SO as long as
have this" He tapped on the desk
with the revolver
"oh. that isn't loaded. said the
masked man quietly.
One quick glance at the weapon
showed the warden that the cartridges
had been drawn His teeth closed
with a snap at the treuchery OF It.
and with his left hand he pulled back
one OF the levers-that which should
arouse the jailers. turkeys and
guards Instead Of the insistent clan.
gor which lie expected there was ST.
lsnce.
THAT wire has been cut" the
stranger volunteered
With clenched teeth the warden
pulled the police alarm.
And that wire was st too" the
stranger explained.
The warden came to his feet with
white face and nails biting into the
palms OF his hands. He still held the
revolver an he advanced upon the
masked man threateningly.
mot too close, now" warned the in.
truder, with a sudden hardening OF his
voice. believe me, 1t would be best
for you to release this man, because
It must be done. pleasantly or other
wise. have no desire to inJure you,
still less do intend that you shall In
jure me; and 1t would be needless for
either OF US to make n personal matter
of 1t. want your prisoner. Signor
Petrozinni-you will release him at
once! That's ALI"
The warden paused, dazed, incredu
Ious before the audacity Of It. while
he studied two calm eyes which
peered at him through the slits OF the
mask.
And II / don't release him. he de
manded at last. flercely.
Then ] shall take him" was the
reply. 1T has been made impossible
for you TO give an alarm" the stranger
went on. THE very men on whom
you most depended have been bought
and even II they were within sound Of
youi voice now they wouldn't respond
One OF your assistants who has beer
here for years unloaded the revolver
in the desk there and less than ar
hour ago cut the prison alarm wire
/. personally. cut the police alarm out
ride the building. 30 you see!"
As yet there was no weapon n
sight, save the unloaded revolver II
the warden's hand; at no time hat
the strangers voice been raised. Hi
tone was q perfectly normal one.
Besides yourself there are only fv,
other men employed here who ar,
now awake" the masked man con
tinued. These arc four inner guardI
and the outer guard They have al
been bought-the turnkeys at Ave
thousand dollars each, and the outel
. guard at seven thousand. The receip
Of all OF this money Is conditiona
upon the release OF Signor Petrozinni
therefore II IL to their interest to ait
me as against you. am telling yo,
all this, frankly and fully, to make 20,
see how futile any resistance woult
be-"
But who-who is this signor Petro
sinni, that such powerful influences
should be brought to bear in his be
half!" demanded the bewildered war
den.
He N q man who can command
pass tostuns-and Senior Alvarex II q