CHAPTER LVIII
In the Death House
Shay sat calmly waiting as the big clock ticked his life away that morning in the house of death at Joliet. At eleven o'clock, Hartigan received Belle's telegram: "We have found Squeaks." He rushed to the Sheriff with it. That officer was very sorry, but "no one except the Governor had any right to order a stay."
"Why, sir," said Jim, "you are not going to hang an innocent man, when here is proof of his innocence."
"There is no proof in that telegram. I don't know who "Belle" is. I get my orders from the Courts. No one but the Governor can order a reprieve."
Jim sent a telegram to Springfield only to learn, as Belle had done, that the Governor had left for Chicago. He sent telegrams to every one who had the power to help. He telegraphed Belle; he rushed to the Sheriff to beg for God's sake but one hour's reprieve. He hurried to the penitentiary to find another telegram from Belle:
Pray without ceasing for an hour's delay. We have Squeaks now.
But the clock ticked on. He literally ran to Michael's cell; the jailer opened the way. "Michael," he gasped, "we have found Squeaks; we know you are innocent."
Michael was the calmest of all. "Whatever is God's will I'll take without a grumble," he said, and sat smoking.
At a quarter to twelve the Sheriff appeared.