Part 47 (1/2)
The cell-house rejoices at the absence of Scot Woods The Block Captain of the nalized by his appearance on the wall, pacing the narrow path in the chilly winter blasts The guards look upon the assign the displeasure of the Warden The keepers sranted privileges of ”Southside” Johnny, one of the Warden's favorites The runner who afforded me an opportunity to see Inspector Nevin, cale with Woods The latter was upbraided by Captain Wright in the presence of Johnny, who is now officially authorized in his perquisites Sufficient time was allowed to elapse, to avoid comment, whereupon the officer ithdrawn froret his absence A severe disciplinarian, Woods was yet very exceptional a of prisoners on each other He frowned upon the trusties, and strove to treat the ed to theshi+ft to fill the vacancy e of the block in the afternoon devolves upon Officer McIlvaine, a very corpulent man, with sharp, steely eyes He is considerably above the average warder in intelligence, but extremely fond of Jasper, who now acts as his assistant, the obese turnkey rarely leaving his seat at the front desk
Changes of keepers, transfers frouards are alert and active Al in his wake ent discipline Rarely do I find a chance to pause at the cells; I keep in touch with the hts breaking out in the shops, the block officers are requisitioned to assist in placing the combatants in the punishment cells The front is deserted, and I improve the opportunity to talk to the solitaries Jasper, ”Southside,” and Bob Runyon, the ”politicians,” also converse at the doors, Bob standing suspiciously close to the bars Suddenly Officer McIlvaine appears in the yard door His face is flushed, his eyes filling rath as they fasten on the et away froavein the block I won't stand for it, that's all,” he adds petulantly
Within half an hour I am haled before the Warden He looks worried, deep lines of anxiety about hisat the doors,” he snarls attheof the kind,” he interrupts; ”you're always talking to the prisoners They are in punishment, and you have no business with them”
”Why was _I_ picked out? Others talk, too”
”Ye-e-s?” he drawls sarcastically; then, turning to the keeper, he says: ”How is that, Officer? The lect of duty”
”I a--”
”Silence! What have you to say, Mr McIlvaine?”
The guard reddens with suppressed rage ”It isn't true, Captain,” he replies; ”there was no one except Berkman”
”You hear what the officer says? You are always breaking the rules
You're plotting; I know you,--pulling a dozen wires You are iniement of the institution But I will break your connections
Officers, take hi, you understand? He is not to return to his cell Have it searched at once, thoroughly Lock him up”
”Warden, what for?” I de is not such a serious charge”
”Very serious, very serious You're too dangerous on the range I'll spoil your infernal sche you fro”
”I want to remain there”
”The more reason to take you away That will do now”
”No, it won't,” I burst out ”I'll stay where I am”
”Re and locked up in a vacant cell, neglected and ill-s the yard; a ”double” cell, so a smallThe walls are damp and bare, save for the cardboard of printed rules and the prison calendar It is the 27th of February, 1896, but the calendar is of last year, indicating that the cell has not been occupied since the previous Noves: bedstead and soiled straw mattress, a small table and a chair It feels cold and dreary
In thought I picture the guards ransacking : my material is well hidden The Warden evidently suspects ation committee My removal is to sever my connections, and now it is impossible for me to reach my data I must return to the North Block; otherwise all our plans are dooe in the lurch: sonified to the Chaplain their desire to testify; their statements will remain unsupported in the absence of my proofs I must rejoin them I have told the Warden that I shall renored it as an empty boast
I consider the situation, and resolve to ”break up housekeeping” It is the soletransferred to the other cell-house It will involve the loss of the grade, and a trip to the dungeon; perhaps even a fight with the keepers: the guards, fearing the broken furniture will be used for defence, generally rush the prisoner with blackjacks Butwill be assured,--no