"Twenty-three."
"Father and mother living?"
"Yes."
"Who shall we notify if you die while you're with us?"
Archie started; and the deputy laughed.
"Notify them."
"Ever convicted before? No? Why, Koerner, you really must not lie to me like that!"
When the statistical questions were finished the deputy said:
"Now, Koerner, you got a stretch in the sentence; you'll gain a month's good time if you behave yourself; don't talk; be respectful to your superiors; mind the rules; you can write one letter a month, have visitors once a month, receive all letters of proper character addressed to you. Your number is 48963. Take him and frisk him, Jimmy."
The deputy warden hooked his cane over his arm and shambled out. Archie watched him, strangely fascinated. Then the guard touched him on the shoulder, tossed a bundle of old clothing over his arm, and said: