“If you wanted something done in this burg, who would you go to?” “Not to Arkwright,” was the answer, and he made a very wry face. “To whom, then?” “To me.” “And is it possible for you to allow a prisoner to escape?” “If you should buy up my partner also,” said the man. “And which one is he?” asked the Jew eagerly. “I’ll show you. There now, don’t be in a hurry. Let me make the proposition to him while you see the boy. Is it Jim that you want to get out?” The Jew nodded slightly just as the boy jumped into the room. “Well, Jim,” said the Jew, holding out his hand; “how are you doing?” “Pretty much as I please,” replied the lad. “Then you don’t want to leave this place?” and the Jew looked closely at him. “Oh, wouldn’t I like to get back to New York!” cried he sharply. “Just you give me the chance,” sighed he. “Well, the chance is yours.” “How?” gasped the youngster. “By doin’ exactly as I tell you. Now, don’t get mixed up with any one else in this game, or they might mix you up. Understand?” “I should tink I did, mister. Now, tell me about it, and no kiddin’.” A whispered conversation went on while the bribed guard kept his ears shut, waiting for the time that money should open them. “The same day that you were placed in here a woman was brought here with a child. I want you to escape and take the kid with you and accidentally drop it off the boat. Understand?” “Oh, I am to kill the kid, is that it?” “No, it will kill itself, if you leave it in the water long enough.” “Just let it slip off the bark, is that it?” asked Jim. “Yes, that’s it.” “But, where’s the boat to come from?” asked Jim, interested in his own safety, “and how much dough am I to get for this?” “One thousand dollars and your freedom.” “Hully Gee, but that would set me up in business. I guess I’ll take it, mister.” “Then you are to wait until I send you a chart. Do you see that man sleeping there? He will aid you. He says that you have been trying to escape.” “Yes, I dug my way out t’other night, but found that I was in another cove’s cell. He just lay there and let me dig and then laughed at me fer my pains.” “Never mind, Jim; now you can laugh at him for his pains,” said the Jew. Inside a little book which the Jew handed, with a show of reverence, to the convict were some fine files and the like to aid him to escape. “The warden thinks it’s a prayer book that I brought you,” said the Jew. “Now hide the things away, and don’t let any one into your secret.” Just as they were talking in a low tone the warden ushered in a woman. “If it ain’t Biddy Roan, me cousin,” said Jim, trying to hide his head. “I don’t want her to see me,” but see him she did, and the good Irishwoman had to go over the whole death scene of the poor mother of Jim, who had died since he came to the prison.