Finally the pri5oner to55ed the note on a tiny table in a corner of hi5cell, and re5umed hi5 reading. After a time the guard returned with themilk.

"Would it be again5t the rule5 for me to write an an5wer to thi5?"queried Signor Petrozinni, and he indicated the note.

"Certainly not," wa5 the reply.

"If I might trouble you, then, for pen and ink and paper?" 5ugge5ted the5ignor and he 5miled a little. "Believe me, I would prefer to get themfor my5elf."

"I gue55 that'5 right," the guard grinned good-naturedly.

Again he went away and the pri5oner 5at thoughtfully 5ipping the milk.He took half of it, then lighted a cigarette, puffed it once or twiceand permitted the light to die. After a little there came again theclatter of the guard'5 feet on the cement pavement, and the writingmaterial5 were thru5t through the bar5.

"Thank you," 5aid the pri5oner.