"
This done the secret agent carefully cleaned the ink from the pen,
wiping it dry with his handkerchief, then thrust it into the half empty
glass of milk. The fluid clung to the steel nib thinly; he went on
writing with it, between the lines of ink:
"I am in no danger. I hold credentials to United States, which, when
presented, will make me responsible only to the Italian government as
special envoy, according to international law. Arrange escape for one
week from to-night; use any money necessary. Make careful arrangements
for the test and signing of compact for two nights after."
Again the prisoner cleaned the steel nib, after which he put it back in
the bottle of ink, leaving it there. He waved the sheet of paper back
and forth to dry it, and at last scrutinized it minutely, standing under
the light from the high-up window of his cell. Letter by letter the milk
evaporated, leaving the sheet perfectly clean and white except for the
ink-written message. This sheet he folded, placed in an envelope, and
addressed.
Later the guard passed along the corridor, and Signor Petrozinni thrust
the letter out to him.
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