The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1911-09-19
CHAPTER XVI.
Letters From jail.

Letters From jail.
For two weeks Signor Pietro Petro-
Sinni. known to the Secret Service as
an unaccredited agent of the Italian
government, and the self-confessed as.
sailant of Senior Alvarez of the Next
can legation. had been taking his case
In 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 din
lomatist from Mexico at the German
Embassy Ball. and. since then, undis
turbed and apparently careless of the
outcome, he had spent his time I'm
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.
ne had asked question of the taller
VINO brought his simple meals.
How is Senior Alvarez?"
He Is still in critical condition"
me answer was always the same.
Whereupon the secret agent would
return to his reading with not a
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
M
to stir him from his lethargy. Ont.
"aroly 1t was like all the others, but
when Senior Petrozinni scanned the
sneet MS eyes lighted strangely, and
ne stood staring down at 1t as though
10 hloe sudden change of expression
III ms race. His gaze was concen.
rated on two small splotches of ink
wnere. 1t seemed, the pen had
scratched as Miss Thorne had signed
her name.
The guard stood at the barred door
Tor moment. then started to turn
away. The prisoner stopped him with
quick gesture
oh, Guard, may have a glass OF
milk, please?" he asked. mo ice.
prefer it tepid"
lie thrust small coin between the
oars; the guard accepted it and passed
on. Then, still standing at the door.
the prisoner read the note again:
My Dear Friend:
Il understand, from an tndirect
source. that there has been n marked
Improvement in Senior Alyarez's con.
dition. and am Fastening to send Won
the good news. There is every hone
that within short while. If he con.
unues to improve, we can arrange n
bail bond, and you will be free until
the time of trial, anyway.
Might 1t 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 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 this7"
pueried Signor Petrozinni, and he in
dictated the note.
Certainly not" was the repIv
"n / might trouble you then for
pen and ink and paper?" suggested
the signor and he smiled a little. "Re.
heVe me, / would prefer to get them
for myself"
Il guess that's right" the guard
ertnDed good.naturedly.
Again he went away and the prls-
oDer sat thoughtfully slipping the milk.
He took half Of it. then lighted a Gig.
arctic. pufred II once or twice and DER.
mitted the light TO die After little
there came again the clatter OF the
guards feet on the cement pavement.
and tho writing materials we're thrust
through the bars
Thank YOU" said the prisoner.
The guard went on with a nod. and
moment later the signor heard the
clangor Of a steel door down the cor.
ridor as II was closed and locked
lie leaned forward in his chair with
haitcloscd eyes, listening for a long
tine, then rose and noiselessIy ap-
preached the cell door Again he lis
toned inteutly, after which he resumed
his scat He tossed away the ciga,
Tetto nc had and lighted a fresh one,
mterward holding the note over the
flame Of the match Here and there.
Wbero the paper charrcd in tho heat.
letter or word stood out from the
bare witness Of the paper. and finally
message complete appeared between
the iunDcaous ink.written lines. The
prisoner read sc greedily.
Am privately Informed there IS
utue chance Of Alvarez's recovery.
Shall J arrange escape for you. or have I
Ambassador intercode2 Would advise 1