The Harrison times., 1912-02-17
CHAPTER XVI.
Letters From jail.

For two weeks Signor Piotro Potro
Einni, known to the Secret Service as
an unnecrodIted agent Of the Italian
government, and the sof'confosscd as
Hailant OF Senor Alvarez Of the MeSh
can legation, had been taking his ease
In cell. Ilo had been formally ar
raignod and committed without bail
60 await tho result Of the bullet wound
which had been inflicted upon tho dip
iomatist from Mexico at the German
Embassy Bail, and, since then, unda
turbod and apparently careless Of tho
outcome, no had spent his time IN
reading and smoking, lIo had an
uwered questions with only curt yes
or no when he delgned 70 answer
them at all; and thoro had been no
callers or inquiries for him, llo had
abruptly declined suggestion Of
counsel
Twice each day, morning and night
ne had asked n question Of the jailor
who brought hIs simple meals,
'Ilow Ia senor Aly0reSY
"1Io n etIll IN n critical condition"
The answer was always the same
Whcroupon the secret agent would
return TO his reading with not u
shadow of uneasInoss or concern on
his faco,
Occasionally there came courteous
little noto from Miss Thorno, which no
read without emotion, aftorward cast
ing them aside or tearing thom up
lilo never answered them, And then
ono day there came another note
which. for no apparent reason, seemed
Go stir him from his lothargy out
wardly II was like all the others, but
when Senior Potro2Inn scanned tho
sheet his eyes lighted strangely and
ho stood staring down at It 90 though
90 hide n sudden change Of expression
in hlu face, llls gaze was coneon
tratod on two small splotchcs Of ink
where, II seemed, the pen had
scratched M Miss Thorno had GIgnod
her name,
The guard stood Ot the barred door
for moment, thon started 70 turn
away Tho prisoner stopped him with
a quick gesture,
"oh, Guard, may ! have u glass Of
milk, pleNgo2 he asked mo lee, !
prefer it topid"
lilo thrust II small coin between the
bars; the guard accepted II and passed
on, Then, still standing Mt the door,
the prisoner read tho note again
MY Dear Friend
II understand, from an indirect
source, that there has been marked
Improvement IN sonor Alyare8s con.
dition, and nm haBtoning to send you
tho good news There IN every hope
thnt within a short while, # bc con.
tinueg 70 improve, We can arrange q
hail bond, and you viii bo free until
che timo Of trial, anyway
"Might II not bo we'll for you TO
oonsult an attorney Ot oHco7 Drop mo
q llnO to lot me know you received
thia, Sincerely
ISABEL THORNE"
Finally the prisoner tossed tho note
on tiny table In a corner Of hlB
coll and resumed hIa roudmg After
a tlmo the guard returned with the
milk.
"Would II be against The rules for
mo 20 write an answer 70 thiBw
aueried Signor Petrozinni, and he IN.
dicated tho note.
Certainly not" was tho reply
'1f | might trouble you, then, for
pen and ink and papor2 suggested
ihe slgnor and he smiled n little, "Bo.
Iievo me, would prefer to set them
for myself"
~ guess that's right" the guard
Er,nncd goodnaturodly
Again he went away and the pfls,
ober sat th6ughtfully slipping the milk
lie took half OF IT, then lighted q Gig
arctic, puffed II once or twice and pea.
watted the light TO die After little