The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1933-12-15
On the Dot
BY JAMES MULLEN
., by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

L
back to his desk.
The doorbell rang. Who could be
calling at half-past three in the morn
ing? He went to the door and opened
1t. A man in raincoat stepped Into
the hall. He raised his hand and VIII
son found himself looking into the
muzzle Of gun.
Hello, Wilson," his visitor greeted
him.
"Who are your Wilson looked at
him, puzzled. trying to recall where
he had seen the man.
The stranger laughed, an unpleasant
laugh. He gave an extra shove OF the
gun against Wilson's ribs.
"You don't remember me. do your
he asked. "You never do remember
the guys you send up."
A light broke on Wilson and, for an
/ instant, he turned pale.
you're Jones'" he said. "The man
who killed Hans Gilbert!"
His visitor nodded. "You remember
now. And do you remember that I
said I'd come back and get your"
Wilson lit q cigarette.
"Well," he said "You seem to have
come Would you mind telling me
how you escaped? You were sched-
uled for electrocution at four this
morning, II I'm not mistaken"
Eat four this morning" the man re-
turned grimly.
Wilson nodded. "Beastly hour
even for an execution"
"Cut It'll The chaplain was friend
Of mine. We changed places. One Of
the guards recognized me but
knocked him down and got away.
had hard time getting here. but it's
worth 1t. Wilson, I'm going to kill
you'll"
Wilson bowed his head. II seem to
have heard you say that before" he
said.
Jones was a little puzzled BY the
others nonchalance.
"You may think I'm kidding" he
said. "But at four o'clock, you're go
ing to die-not mew
Wilson glanced at his wrist watch.
Then he walked over to his desk and
sat down. WELL" he said, @Fve IF
teen minutes yet. No-only thirteen.
My watch is slow. Do you mind II
finish this letter I'm writing?"
Jones shook his head. A peal Of
thunder vibrated through the house
Quite a storm" commented Wilson,
amiably.
Getting worse" was the laconic re-
ply. "Say. Wilson," glancing at his
most admiringly, you've got CUTS, all
light. But" with frown, .they amt
goin' to do you no good now. came
here to kill you and I'm going to do
ton schedule"
Wilson made no reply. He went on
writing. The storm outside increased
in fury. Presently the letter was done
A few things on the desk were put
,, straight. All the while the murderer
Of Hans Gilbert, booked for the chair
at four, sat holding his gun.
what time Is 1t now?" asked Jones.
'T've just FIVE minutes to four.
There's a church up the street. The
clock chimes the hour. You'll have no
trouble knowing when it's four
o'clock.
Jones got up. He was nervous-far
more nervous than his intended victim.
With the gun trained on Wilson, he
walked to the window and threw up
the shade The flashes Of lightning
were binding but he did not draw the
curtain.
''Dont you feel kind Of queer, Will
SOM" he asked. Like something you
couldn't stop was coming after your"
Wilson nodded.
"Well, that's the way I've felt all
day." I realized that was going to
die. 1t isn't nice feeling, is it?'
"Can't say that it is," replied Wilson
truthfully. "It does send the shivers
up and down ones back"
At that moment the chimes on the
church began to peal. Jones counted
them slowly, one-two-three-fou
With the last stroke, he slowly lifted
the gun.
"Have you anything to say, prison
err" he asked. ironically.
Wilson shook his head II have
nothing to say"
Jones aimed. Suddenly, there was
a binding fash. Wilson felt himself
hurled to the floor. He lay there
stunned for few minutes. Then, he
rose weakly. He looked around for
1ov @Lo
gun tightly clenched in his right hand.
Wilson recoiled In horror!
The telephone began to ring. VII.
son picked 1t up.
''This is Talbot of the Morning STAR"
4 voice said. There's q report that
Frank Jones escaped from the state
prison early this morning. Do you
know il it's true?"
"What do the authorities say?"
asked Wilson.
"Oh, you know them," impatiently.
''They refuse to make a statement
We've been trying to get in touch with
them and the prison direct. Couldn't
get the prison-wires ali down. Struck
by lightning, understand"
Wilson hesitated. He looked at the
body on the floor. Then, in voice SO
low that he could scarcely recognize
it as his own, he said:
"You can report to your paper, Tai
bot, that the execution of Frank Jones
took place. He was electrocuted at
four O'clock this morning"