CHAPTER V

THE EAGLE'S EYES GROW DIM

The county jail in Cedar County was a plain, brick structure set in the
midst of the Court House Square. Connected with it was the official
residence of the sheriff, and brick walks ran diagonally from corner to
corner for the convenience of citizens. Over these walks magnificent
maples flung gorgeous banners in autumn, and it was a favorite promenade
for the young people of the town at all seasons, even in winter.

At times when the jail was filled with disorderly inmates these innocent
lovers could hear the wild yells and see the insulting gestures of the
men at the windows, but ordinarily the grounds were quiet and peaceful.
The robins nested in the maples, the squirrels scampered from tree to
tree, and little children tumbled about on the grass, unmindful of the
sullen captives within the walls.

For seven years Harold himself had played about this yard, hearing the
wild voices of the prisoners and seeing men come and go in irons. Over
these walks he had loitered with Dot--now he was one of those who clawed
at the window bars like monkeys in a cage in order to look out at the
sunshine of the world. The jail pallor was already on his face and a
savage look was in his eyes. He refused to see anyone but Jack, who came
often and whose coming saved him from despair.

In one respect the county jail was worse, than the State's prison; it
had nothing for its captives to do. They ate, amused themselves as best
they could through the long day, and slept. Most of them brooded, like
Harold, on the sunshine lost to them, and paced their cells like wild
animals. It had, however, the advantage of giving to each man a separate
bed at night, though during the day they occupied a common corridor.
Some of them sang indecent songs and cursed their fellows for their
stupidity, and fights were not uncommon.

The jailer was inclined to allow Harold more liberty after his trial,
but the boy said: "I'm not asking any favors from you. I'm working out a
sentence."

He continued his systematic exercise, eating regularly and with care in
order that he should keep his health. He spent several hours each day
leaping up the stairway which led from the lower cells to the upper, and
his limbs were like bundles of steel rods. He could spring from the
floor, catch the hand rail of the runway above, and swing himself with a
single effort to the upper cells. Every possible combination of strength
and