Part 44 (1/2)
”A raph”
”What Inspector?”
”You can't question me Your visitor has been refused admittance”
”Will you tell me the reason, Warden?”
”No reason, no reason whatever”
He turns on his heel, when I detain hieon I arade now,” I point to the recently earned dark suit ”I aes Why am I deprived of visits?”
”Not another word”
He disappears through the yard door Frouard near by brings his thuers in ry, I return to the cell, to find the monthly letter-sheet on my table I pour out all the bitterness of ainst me, and repeat our conversation and his refusal to admit h lawyer apply to the courts, to force the prison authorities to restore to es allowed by the law to the ordinary prisoner I drop the letter in thethat my outburst and the threat of the laill induce the Warden to retreat fronificance of the epistle, aware that e for effect, and not meant to be acted upon
But the next day the Chaplain returns the letter to me ”Not so rash, my boy,” he warns me, not unkindly ”Be patient; I'll see what I can do for you”
”But the letter, Chaplain?”
”You've wasted your paper, Aleck I can't pass this letter But just keep quiet, and I'll look into the matter”
Weeks pass in evasive replies Finally the Chaplain advises a personal intervieith the Warden The latter refers me to the Inspectors To each member of the Board I address a request for a few oes by without word froh officials
The friendly runner, ”Southside” Johnny, offers to give me an opportunity to speak to an Inspector, on the pays of tobacco Unfortunately, I cannot spare my small allowance, but I tender him a dollar bill of the money the Girl had sent me artfully concealed in the buckle of a pair of suspenders The runner is highly elated, and assuresme to keep careful watch on the yard door
Several days later, passing along the range engaged infroentleman in citizen clothes For a moment I do not realize the situation, but the next instant I am aware of Johnny's violent efforts to attract my attention He pretends to show thehim closer to my door, with surreptitious nods at me I approach my cell
”This is Berkman, Mr Nevin, the entle, Berk?”
”Twenty-two years”
”I' sentence You knoho I am?”
”Inspector Nevin, I believe”
”Yes You have never seen me before?”
”No I sent a request to see you recently”
”When was that?”