Evening star., 1924-03-21
Continued from Yesterdays star.)

1t was drastic and plain enough.
that notice. 1t was addressed to be-
ings known as free rersons'-which
seemed to argue that, In the opinion
of the authorities, there were only
two classes of individuals in the
world: those who were safely incar-
cerated in Portland prison and those
who were not Such free persons
tempt to aid prisoners to escape
would be treated as a felony, and the
wrongdoer would not enjoy the bena-
fits of bail or mainprise-in other
words, if the law caught him, the
law would hold him securely until he
himself was convicted and sentenced.
There were, however, sops of a sub
stantial sort held out to these free
persons. If a free person CHANGED,
by sheer good luck or pure accident,
evidently or presumably or supposi-
titiously left to further the escape of
prisoners, and took such money or
letters or clothing to the proper au-
thorities, they would reward him
unless they suspected and proved him
to have been in collusion with some
person meaning to encourage such
escape. Therefore, it had always
seemed to Smith, you had to be care
full in exploring Portland, lest you
should be taken to be some one
anxious to set free upon the world a
convicted burglar or fraudulent COM
pany promoter or some other rascal
who had been sent to quarry stone
for five or seven or fifteen years.
1T is odds-on that Styler and 1
are unknowingly engaged in some
such game" unused Smith, as he
turned landward. "If all this busi-
tentot"
He and Styler had already made up
their minds as to what the real
meaning of the mysterious chart was.
conspiracy which had as its main
object the release by escape of some
prisoner how within those frowning
walls. Their theory was that that
prisoner was friend. probably
Tickell. and that kesteven had in
trusted Tickcll with money to further
the matter. The money which Tickell
had carried on him was probably
meant as means for bribing warders
ciphered chart meant anything. 1t
meant that Tick ell, as agent, was to
meet some person or persons on some
evening between the 18th and the
der to arrange matters. Well, here
was the 15th-the fifteenth day of
May-halfway between the appointed
limited dates. And though Tickell
and there, in a knoll beneath the high
ground. stood the King of Denmark.
All was ready: all in order. except
one matter which, when Smith came
to think Of it, was of vast importance.
He and Styler, after all. were only
guessing at things, and of details
they knew nothing.
ITS a case of trusting to sheer
.uck," soliloquized Smith. "And
whatever 1 may have, StyIer is one
of those fellows who are gifted with
superabundant 1uck-I shall leave
most of this to Styler'
He had succeeded, in his role of
artist and holiday maker, in getting a
room at the inn, and he now strolled
back there to eat his supper. The
inn was a homely place enough; an
cld-fashionsd. wayside hostelry set
on country road, half way between
and a beach village tenanted by fisher
folk. It's accomTodatioE was primi-
tive: its custom seemed to be small
And when Smith, having eaten a dish
place could afford HIM that night,
went into the ow-ceilinged bar room
to smoke his pipe and look out for
whatever might chance, he found it
untenanted save for the landIadv,
who was polishing glasses behind the
But presently a man came in. He
was a little man, dressed nattily in
plue serge, cut in nautical fashion; a
middle-aged man, who wore gold
rings in his ears and had a multitude
or wrinkles about the corners of his
eyes His grizZled beard was cut
torpedo fashion,: he had trick Of
Jerking it up when he spoke: all his
movements were quick and jerky.
And as he ma lie to the bar, he favored
Smith. who sat in a shady corner
with a sharp questioning look, which
was withdrawn as rapidly as 1t was
given.
'rEvenin', Mother Bassett." said the
newcomer cheerily. "a drop Of the
usual, if you please, ma'am"
rum, and poured generous quantity
fanked with a sugar bowl and a jug
Of hot water.
"Evenin', Cap'n Polbeck," she an
kwered. You amt agone yet. then?
thought as how you was goin' this
week?"
The little man mixed his rum and
water with a care that denoted years
of custom and took an appreciative
gulp.
Don't go till the end o. the week.
ma am" he replied. twentieth, it is
-four more days I have yet of Eng
land, home and beauty! Here's you,
jolly good health. Mother Bassett--
and yours sir, 'scusin' the liberty"
he added. lifting his glass to Smith
who hastened to bow and lift his own
Long, life to all of u.s."
Same to you, cap'n," responded the
landlady 'Of to the same parts you