s face from the quickly raised eyes of the
warden. For a bare fraction of a second the two men stared at each
other, then, instinctively, the warden's right hand moved toward the
open drawer of his desk where a revolver lay, and his left toward
several electrically connected levers. The intruder noted both gestures,
and, unarmed himself, stood silent. The warden was first to speak.

"Well, what is it?"

"You have a prisoner here, Pietro Petrozinni," was the reply, in a
pleasant voice. "I have come to demand his release."

The warden's right hand was raised above the desk top, and the revolver
in it clicked warningly.

"You have come to demand his release, eh?" he queried. He still sat
motionless, with his eyes fixed on the black mask. "How did you pass the
outside guard?"

"He was bribed," was the ready response. "Now, Warden," the masked
intruder continued pacifically, "it would be much more pleasant all
around and there would be less personal danger in it for both of us if
you would release Signor Petrozinni without question. I may add that no
bribe was offered to you because your integrity was beyond question."

"Thank you," said the warden grimly, "and it shall remain so as long as
I have this." He tapped on the desk with the revolver.

"Oh, that isn't loaded," said the masked man quietly.

One quick glance at the weapon showed the warden that the cartridges had
been drawn! His teeth closed with a snap at the treachery of it, and
with his left hand he pulled back one of the levers--that which should
arouse the jailers, turnkeys and guards. Instead of the insistent
clangor which he expected, there was silence.

"That wire has been cut," the stranger volunteered.

With clenched teeth the warden pulled the police alarm.

"And that wire was cut, too," the stranger explained.

The warden came to his feet with white face, and nails biting into the
palms of his hands. He still held the revolver as he advanced upon the
masked man threateningly.

"Not too close, now," warned the intruder, with a sudden hardening of
his voice. "Believe me, it would be best for you to release this man,
because it must be done, pleasantly or otherwise. I have no desire to
injure you, still less do I intend that you shall injure me; and it
would be needless for either of us to make a personal matter of it. I
want your prisoner, Signor Petrozinni--you will release him at once!
That's all!"

The warden paused, dazed, incredulous b