The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1920-09-03
CHAPTER ill.-continued.


you're not insane. Nobody said
you were. But for while you've got
to act insane. It's your only hope,
and I'm pretty sure you're equal to
the acting. II you plead crazy-and
act and talk and look crazy (it'll be
easy for yOu)--it's more than likely
you'll get of lightly. It's your only
chance Absolutely the only one. I'm
not saying It's tat one or soft one.
only say it's your only one. Good
day!"
The case occupied little time. The
prisoner was adjudged insane and
committed to the Dunning insane asy-
ium until declared cured. Two stall
wart officers, neither Of whom was as
muscular as he, escorted him to the
street.
Upon Fitzhugh's arrival at Dun.
ming he was taken to the superintend-
ent's Office, and there, questioned
about his family, gave the same ficti-
uous replies that had satisfied the po-
lice. Next he was examined by a
physician. 1t was the second time he
had enacted the part Of lunatic, and
his persOnatiOn must have been done
with some success. for his disease"
was diagnosed, and he was classified
and assigned to a ward. After the
customary routine of bathing and
DOMINIC the regulation garb he had
leisure to sit down and plan his
escape. This seemed so ridiculOusly
simple that he almost regretted there
need be nothing spectacular about it,
that there was no necessity for over
powering a guard or breaking bars, or
for any other kind Of heroics.
While entering the grounds he had
kept his eyes open, with the result
that he had rough mental picture OF
Cummings topography, and after the
first night he was positive he would
be free before the dawn Of another
day.
He lay awake until broad daylight,
hoping the next night would be a
cloudy one. listening to the unearthly
sounds that came at intervals from
the violent wards-and thinking, think
ing. He thought mostly of the future,
and the more he thought Of 1t the
more wide awake he became. Sleep
was out Of the question.
Before noon that day came Esther.
She had brought him a basket of ed
ibles, and as she placed it on table
beside him he detected in her manner
disQuieting suggestion of constraint
But her first words were commonplace
enough.
How are your" she asked.
''Oh, about as well as look, l sup.
pose."
II never saw you looking better,
she admiringly observed.
"YOu must remember you haven't
seen me very often" he reminded her
Let me see-is 1t twenty or twenty
FIVE days since we first saw each
Other?" He laughed and started Il
remove the napkin from the basket OF
food.
With quick movement her hant
flashed out and seized his. She glanced
swiftly around.
Don't open it till you're sure no
body's looking"
He was not slow to surmise that {
file or some such instrument was con
cealed In the basket, and though h,
could scarcely repress smile at tn,
unnecessary. he replaced the napkin
and said quite soberly: "All right. II
take care"
when do you expect to escape?'
she asked, speaking in a cautious
whisper.
Tonight, If it's dark"
"And yOu1l come to me? You'll lie
me hide yOu?" She searched his fac
eagerly.
He did not answer at once. Durin
the long. wakeful hours last night
when he had renewed his gloriou
castle building. this woman had no
figured in the dreams. AS she note