The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 145: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GOLD DELUGE. 145 Hrik was obliged to wait with his reply, as the keeper was liable to appear at any moment. He hid his supply of paper between the floor and wall padding, where it was safe from discovery. While exercising later in the courtyard, he looked for Szemsky, but could not see him. Perhaps he avoided meeting him intentionally for fear of betrayal and thus destroying their slender chances of escape. Erik found opportunity after breakfast to eeiike to Szemsky’s note and immediately sent the letter up by the thread. Half an hour later a new message dangled before the cell window, and this was repeated several times. The subject of the letters was principally the location of the various divis- ions of the institution, the habits of those within it, and like matters, with a view to assisting in their escape. Szemsky maintained that the only means of exit was by the large gateway, as from there only a road led down to the shore, while everywhere else jagged rocks and cliffs rose almost perpendicu- larly from the sea. Besides, all the windows faced the sea, and were so small that an ordinary man could not squeeze through even were there no bars. Over the large doorway the storeroom was located, in the floor of which was a trap door, through which the supplies for the asylum were hoisted by means of a crane. Szemsky knew that this trap door was un- locked and never bolted. It would be easily opened. Their descent was possible by means of a rope and tackle. Then the worst difficulty of all had to be faced—the large gateway. This was always kept carefully closed by means of a strong combination lock. ‘To overpower the guard would be an easy matter, but the combina- tion? Their only hope lay in forcing the guard to disclose it or to open the gate himself. If they failed in their first attempt at Escape all hope must be abandoned forever. Szemsky spoke of several men who had made efforts to. gain their liberty and were afterwards captured and walled in in their cells alive to starve. Therefore to flee was taking their lives in their hands. Even should they reach the outside of the prison successfully, how were they to leave the . island? They must take their chances and rely on the help of Providence. Szemsky had no difficulty in leaving his cell. He stood well with the keepers, who considered him a harmless case, and he was therefore permitted to assist them in their work. His cell door was only bolted at night from the outside and that bolt he could easily throw back by means of a long nail which he had hidden in his cell without the knowledge of the keepers. But Hrik-—how was he to get out? His cell was not only bolted, but locked as well. Only one chance remained. Szemsky must take the keys from the guard in the corridor where Erik’s cell was located on the night when the escape was attempted. Krik had formed a plan of his own to further the matter. He had noticed that the keeper who was placed on duty Friday evenings was very fond of beer, and that every time Erik left part of his beer, given him each day for supper, the keeper promptly drained the mug tothe bottom. If Szemsky could smuggle down a small quantity of morphine, or, better yet, chloral, from the medicine room, then the worst difficulty was overcome. CoOnmniclaool< (S@)