Evening star., 1924-01-13
great jute mill of the San
Gregorio penitentiary was in
full operation.

were RESTLESS anu uHedSS.
Boston Blackie, university graduate,
student, safe-blower and international
crook, looked up and glanced around
the mill. Covert eyes from hundred
looms were watching him with eager
expectancy.
Boston Blackie leaped to the top
Of his loom, and flung up both arms,
the signal of revolt. The looms
stopped; their deafening noise ceased
as II by magic. In three minutes the
convicts were in complete control OF
the mill. barred in from outside assault
by steel doors and brick walls.
Calmly, with arms folded, Boston
Elackie still stood on his loom watch
ing the quick, complete fruition Of his
plans.
OF all he officers in San Gregorio
prison, Capt. Denison, head of the
mill guards was hated most. When he
was dragged into the circle of captive
guards, Capt. Denison fell on his
knees and begged piteously for his life.
Bo!dncss might have saved him;
cowardce doomed him. A convict
with a wooden bIudgeon in his hand
leaped to his side and seized him by
the throat.
We've got you now, curse you"
cried the volunteer eXecutioner, "Tur-
key" Burch. pray, you deg, pray.
Do you remember the night you sent
me to the strait-jacket to please one
of you rotten SWITCHES? In just sixty
seconds" he snarled, this club is 60
ing to put you where you've put many
q one of u.s."
A roar Of approval came from the
stripe-clad mob. Burch raised his
club. swinging it about his head.
stop"
Boston Blackie snatched the club
from Burcn's hand and flung it on the
floor.
'I said no blood and that goes as II
lays, Turkey" he said quietly.
Burch caught up his club again.
Boston Blackie seized an iron bar
from a man beside him.
All right" he said "Croak him
whenever you're ready, Turkey, but
when you kill him. l kill you. It's
Your move"
The two convicts faced each other.
Thirty tense seconds passed.
Why don't YOU do something?"
Blacke said to Burch with a smile.
Then he threw his iron bar to the
floor. "Poys,'' he continued, turning
10 the crowd, ''if We keep our heads,
We win. If you want TO pay for that
coward's blood with your own, Deni-
son dies. But if he does, I quit you
here and now. If you say so. he goes
rnharmed and Well finish this business
as we began it-riCht.
He turned to Burch, standing ir-
resolute with his club.
You're the first to vote, Turkey.
What's the verdict?' he asked.
Burch hesitated. then tossed aside
his club.
you've run this business so far,
Blackie." he said slowly, land ! guess
It's up to US to let you finish 1t in
your own way"
There was a chorus of approval from
the convict mob.
"Fine," said Blackie. Il knew you
boys had sense. The first thing is to
boot our dear Captain out those doors,
and 1 nominate Turkey Burch to do
It,"
Denison was dragged to the doors.
They were unbarred, and, propelled by
Turkey Burch's square-tocd brogan
Capt Denison shot through into the
yard. where he was under the protect
ing rifles Of the guards on the wall.
The. other captiveS were treated sim
;larly.
Take this message to Deputy War.
den Sherwood" said Blackie as the last
of the bound bluecoats stood ready to
be kicked out. Tell him that unless
within one hour he releases from Pun
ishment Hall the ten men he sent
there yesterday for protesting against
the rotten food, we're going tc tear
town his sfive-million-dollar mill. Now
60"
The man shot out. The doors were
banged shut and barred behind him.
while the mill resounded with the
joyous shouts and songs Of the con-
victs.
DEPUTY WARDEN MARTIN SHER-
- WOOD, disciplinarian and real
head of the prison management. took
grim, silent. delight in inf1icting pun
ishment.
There was reason for this strange
twist in the character Of q man abso-
lutely fearless and otherwise fair.
Years before. he had brought bride
TO his home just outside the prison
walls. She was pretty and young and
weak-just the sort of girl the attrac-
ton of opposites would send to a man
like Martin Sherwood. There were a
few months of happiness.
Then came the crash. A convict
employed as n servant in the deputy's
home completed his sentence and was
released. With him went the deputy's
wife. From that day Sherwood was
a man unfeeling as iron.
Martin Sherwood sat calmly smok-
ing when Capt. Denison rushed in
and tumbled into chair.
"They might as we'll have killed you
in the mill as to send you up here to
die Of fright in my Office" the deputy
said with biting sarcasm.
Deputy" Denison warned, chose
cons have a leader they obey like
regiment Of soldiers. He is"
Boston Blackie, of course" inter-
rupted Sherwood. 'I should have
known better than to put him where
he could come in contact with the
men"
The guard who had been given the
convict leaders, ultimatum rushed in.
He says he wants the men out of
Punishment Hall ard your promise of
better food from now on or he'll tear
the mill down in an hour" the man
reported.
The deputy warden turned to the
men in the office.
I'm going Gown to the MILL" he
said. "Have a machine gun ready in
each OF the four towers that cover
this yard-ready but out of sight"