One of your assistants who has
been here for years unloaded the revolver in the desk there, and less
than an hour ago cut the prison alarm wire. I, personally, cut the
police alarm outside the building. So you see!"
As yet there was no weapon in sight, save the unloaded revolver in the
warden's hand; at no time had the stranger's voice been raised. His tone
was a perfectly normal one.
"Besides yourself there are only five other men employed here who are
now awake," the masked man continued. "These are four inner guards and
the outer guard. They have all been bought--the turnkeys at five
thousand dollars each, and the outer guard at seven thousand. The
receipt of all of this money is conditional upon the release of Signor
Petrozinni, therefore it is to their interest to aid me as against you.
I am telling you all this, frankly and fully, to make you see how
futile any resistance would be."
"But who--who is this Signor Petrozinni, that such powerful influences
should be brought to bear in his behalf?" demanded the bewildered
warden.
"He is a man who can command a vast fortune--and Senor Alvarez is at the
point of death.
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