Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-10-27
CHAPTER XVI.
Letters From jail.

fOr Two weeks SlBnOr fletrO retro
Einni, known to the Secret Service as
an unaccredited agent of the Italian
government, and the self-confessed as
sailant OF Senior Alvarez of the Mexi-
can legation, had been taking his ease
in a cell. He had been formally ar
raigned 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
e0 0eptly declined suggestion of
counsel.
Twice each day. morning and night.
he had asked a question OF the jailer
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 or concern on
his face.
Occasionally there came a courteous
little note from Miss Thorne. which he
read without emotion, afterward cast
ing them aside or tearing them up.
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 1t 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. "No Ice. i
prefer It tepid."
He thrust small coin between the
b9s-; the guard accepted 1t and passed
-
the y-isoner read the note again:
Dear Friend:
'e understand. from an indirect
source. that there has been a marked
Improvement in Senior Alvarez's con-
dition. and am Fastening to send you
the good news. There is every hope
that within a 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 1t not be well 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 a corner of his
cell. and resumed his reading. After
time the guard returned with the
milk.
Would It be against the rules for
me to write an answer to this?"
Nqueried Signor Petrozinni. and he In
dicated the note.
n Certainly not" was the reply.
IF might trouble you. then, for
pen and ink and paper7" suggested
the signor and he smiled little. BE
lieve me, l would prefer to get them
for myself"
IT guess that's right" the guard
kgrinned good-naturedly.
4 Again he went away and the pris-
Rner sat thoughtfully slipping the milk
lie took half Of It, then lighted Gig
trette, pulled It once or twice and per-
aitted the light to die. Altar = little