The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-10-13
CHAPTER xvlI.-(continued.)

q v
He. was bribed." was the ready re-
Spouse. Now, Warden" the masked
intruder continued Practically. sit
would be much more pleasant all
around and there would be less per-
soRal danger in it for both of US If
you would release Signor Petrozinni
without question. / may add that no
bride was offered to you because your
integrity was beyond question"
Thank you" said the warden grim
iy. land 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 b4en drawn! His teeth closed
with snap at the treachery 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 he expected. there was ST.
lence.
'That wire has been cut" the
stranger volunteered.
With clenched teeth the warden
pulled the police alarm.
And that wire was cut, too." the
stranger explained.
The warden came to his feet with
white face and nails biting into the
palms of his bands, He still held the
revolver as he advanced upon the
masked man threateningly.
mot too close, now" warned the In
truder, with a sudden hardening Of his
voice. Believe me, it would be best
FOR you to release this man, because
1t must be done, pleasantly or other
wise. have no desire to injure you,
still less do intend that you shall in
jure me: and it would be needless for
either of US to make personal matter
Of 1t. / want your prisoner, Signor
Petrozinni-you will release him at
once! That's ALL"
The warden paused, dazed, incredu-
lous before the audacity Of it, while
he studied two calm eyes which
peered at him through the Sits Of the
mask.
"And If don't release him?" he de-
manded at last, fercely.
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
your voice now they wouldn't respond.
One OF your assistants who has been
here for years. unloaded the revolver
IN the desk there, and less than an
hour ago cut the prison alarm wire.
!. personally. cut the police alarm out
side the building. So you see!"
AS yet there was no weapon in
sight, save the unloaded revolver In
the warden's hand: at no time had
the strangers voice been raised. His
tone was perfectly normal one.
Besides yourself there are only five
other men employed here who are
now awake" the masked man con.
tinued. these are four inner guards
and the outer guard. They have all
been bought-the turkeys at 1--WE
thousand dollars each. and the outer
guard at seven thousand. The receipt
Of all of this money is conditional
upon the release of Signor Petrozinni
therefore 1t is to their interest to aid
me as against you. am telling you
all this. frankly and fully. to make you
see how futile any resistance would
be-"
But who--who is this Signor Petro.
xinni, that, such powerful influences
should be brought to bear in his be
half?" demanded the bewildered war
0en
"He is a man who can command q
vast fortune and Senior Alvarez Is a