Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-02-10
CHAPTER III.

Y WARDEN HANDLER, regret
a ting that he had given his
WV visitors an indication that he
believed he had recognized
Rose Lanes deliverer, answered the
questions Of the girl and the lieuten-
ant governor by stating: The man is
as bad as the burglar he threw out of
the car window-even worse. He's in
this prison at this moment. firmly
believe, according to the description
we've just heard"
"Oh. impossible!" exclaimed Miss
Lane, her face coloring. He was a
gentleman. a thorough gentleman, and
700 young to be hardened criminal
Her face became Swallowed with con-
Germ
The warden was vastly amused at
this remark. which the young girl rem
dered with the finality of unquestioned
authority.
"Too young" he laughed. cage
doesn't cut any figure in crime the
way you mean It's some Of these
young fellows that will take q chance
at anything. You see, they're ambi-
tious. They're anxious to rise in their
business
The warden paused and glanced from
the girl TO the observing lieutenant
governor. then to the two members of
the Gate Of Hope. He commented on
the fact that his visitors had dis
agreed with him on various points and
informed them that he had determined
to offer them a few object lessons,
lessons with living models. ''I'll show
YOU" he said. that these crooks we've
got here will ply their trade at all
times, whether they profit or not; that.
in short, criminality is mania with
them and that there's no use in try
ing TO better them" His first exhibit.
brought in by the secretary. was tn
celebrated forger "Blinkey" Davis. Al
the warden's request Lieutenant Gov
ernor Fay drew 4 check for s. ans
handed it to Blinkey. To oblige the
warden Blinkey, aided by Il knife ar&
pen and ink, in five minutes ha.
raised" it to the amount vi $50,O0
The lieutenant governor pronounced j.
perfect 81 know where | could pas:
it, too" laughed Blinkcy as he was lei
away.
~ had him on the books once, anG
he couldn't resist raising the priscn
checks" chuckled Handler Il coul'
bring in fellows like that all day.
He picked up All object from his desk
do you see this lock? y German
inventor waiting outside has spent
fourteen years in perfecting that. He
claims it cannot be opened without
the key. The prison board has accept
ed it for use here if the claims made
for it are true We have a man here
paralyzed on one side, a sneak thief.
l have sent for him. He may not open
1t, but he will try, for he cannot re-
sist the criminal mania that controls
him. Smith" to his secretary, get
the Dutchman; also the gentleman
known as Dick the Rat"
When the decrepit form of Dick the
Rat" was brought in, together with
the patient inventor Blickendolfen-
bach, he was given the lock, three
minutes and a hairpin. Ten seconds
before his allotted time expired he
threw the lock, opened. on the ward
ems desk, and with his repulsive,
seanIy face contorted into what be
considered was a smile he inclined his
head to one side. From his throat
came inarticulate squeals of glee-ex-
actly the squeals Of a rat.
Only the watchfulness Of Smith
saved the RAT" from the violent
despairing onslaught Of the German.
who screamed: "I'll kill him. He ruin
me! Und NIT hairpin, mein Gottw
You're not the first man to be ruin
ed by a hairpin," laughed the warden.
Don't tell your wife"
Smith sent the inventor to the rail-
road station in charge of n guard and