can get almost any thing made in New York if
you have the money with which to pay for it. But if we made the attempt
and failed, what would be the consequences? We should be put down and
not allowed out of our cells, and I should be debarred from seeing
Shanks; so suppose we think it over, and watch the habits of the
jailors."

Every day Maroney broached the subject, but White always had some
objections to offer, and Maroney finally abandoned the project in
disgust. There is no doubt but that Eldridge street jail at the time
could have been easily opened.

Little by little Maroney sought to place more confidence in White, but
found his advances always repelled. White would say, "Maroney, let every
man keep his own secrets, I have all I can do to attend to my own
affairs. My lawyer has been to see me and my prospects, as he presents
them, are not very flattering. Shanks says they are likely to get the
better of me if I am not careful. I feel so irritable that I can
scarcely bear with any one." Maroney was more than ever desirous of
talking with him, but White said: "I don't want to talk; let every man
paddle his own canoe. If I were out of trouble, it would be a different
thing, but my lawyer at present gives me a black lookout."

Shanks came in and White drew him to one side. They had a long talk and
then White paced restlessly up and down the hall.

"What's the matter, White? have you bad news?" enquired Maroney.

"Yes, I am deeply in the mire, but let me alone and I'll wriggle myself
out."

_CHAPTER XXI._

I now determined to strike a blow at Maroney. Some idea of its power may
be gained by imagining how a prisoner would feel upon receiving the news
that, while he is languishing in prison, his faithless wife is receiving
the unlawful attentions of a young gallant, and that everything
indicates that they are about to leave for parts unknown, intending to
take all his money and leave him in the lurch. This was exactly the rod
I had in pickle for Maroney. I applied it through the following letter:

"Nathan Maroney, Eldridge Street Jail, New York:

"Ha! ha! ha! * * * * Your wife and the fellow with the long
mustache and whiskers are having a glorious time, driving around in
his buggy.

"You have heard of Sanford? He loves you well. He is the one who
moves the automaton with the whiskers and long mustache, and gives
_your wife_ a _lover_ in Jenkintown.

"You s