Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 91, Decatur, Adams County, 16 April 1915 — Page 3

[the master key'. CHAPTER XtX. A Message From tha Grave, "TA/I fall from tho . H. trestle had not been imno||fM tilt'd by Ills outlaws, and i>oPHR fur® miy olio in the camp could make sure that the wan wits dead n couplo of tlic M«.\i. .ms hud quickly slipped down tlic hill to him. They fouml him still alive. Without paying aai.v attention to John Dorr's men, who were still doubtful of the outcome of the battle, they dnq ;od their fallen lender away and up Into their own temporary camp. It was mot lona before NVilkersm re* vlvqd. He was terribly liiuised Hml almost insane from physical pain and wild ruga at Ids defeat. It was with difficulty that the unsmiling outlaws restrained! him. Their chief took upon himself the task of making it plain to Wilkerson that this was no time for rash and unorganized attack. “They have beaten us so far, senor,” ho said cpiietly, "and you are very sick. Tomorrow we shall see.” Tha nest'morning's sun had scarcely touched the peaks of the mountains when Wllkiersott stretched bis stiff, sore limbs and began a fresh campaign. He made it clear to the leader of the Id ex lean out! iws that they must work swiftly, fg “It won’t be long before the news of thia fighting gets out and the autlioritlesetaku a hand.” be said. "But if we can-. Just get this mine into ir po.-w sioa in the next three days 1 can hire you and jfom men as peaceable work met an<| Bwe ir that Dorr and his gang are trying to take our property away by force, f I guess ni w id will he as good as bis." “YeryF-Well," agre 1 the Mcxi an after thoughtfully consider;;:' the matter. “We can get back im .M, „ p., twenty-four hours from here. So long as jsou pay us and let us—what do you cpll It—loot, mv men are with you" wUkers-e. covertly studied the desHHBf, Impassive visage. Jose Vlgas bore a renowned name on the border for daring, shrewdness and wi.dtedness. He was known as “The Merciless." For five years lie hud had a l prico set on his head, yet because of the loyalty of Ills adherents and his | own fearlessness he had escaped, d No man better fitted for a sinister purpose could have been found. Yet mingled With Wilkerxon’s satisfaction at having sneb a tool to hi -, hand was a dread of the man himself, and Ids calm Insistence on the prl\ liege of lootlng the camp when it was captured -give him u sense of nausea, fy After all. they were Ar.-u. -ans down there in the "Master Key” camp through his binoculars he could see Both on the porch of the bungalow (Vlgas, too, saw her. lie took no pains to conceal the cruel int est in his eyes. S The next few days resulted in little advautage to either side. John Dorr gfeould not reopen the mine nor even 3 3pend in for much needed supplies because of the constant nepaee of the outlaws, who occasionally tired scat Bering shots down into the gulch as a framing that they were vigilant. m On the other hand. Wilkerson found It impossible to seize the camp withBaput precipitating a i>aitle. from which he shrank. Deeply Involved as he ah ready wns in crime, hf dread, d to cross the border line which would for • ever place him beyond the pale and make him nn outlaw. Instead, he used every method to put himself outwardly in the right. Ho sent plea after plea to the sheriff o' the county to come and restore order, asserting that be had been driven from his rightful property by violence and that the situation wu3 such that, with■gßHHMMMtwm ■ • **-**i*m* ..v I h Jk ) H w& ppp#/";vv-vx /' < - p. t .• ■ % '.v ■ . ‘ >v' aSBWr-.f.. -1 *>iL . ■■ c m%. % • P raft, ■ fe ' - ■if: --g Ruth on the Porch of the Bungalow. out Btterference from the authorities, there would be serious trouble and very likely bloodshed. These pleas availed only partially. The sheriff made a trip into the mine, talked with John Dorr and Tom Kane andetht!! sought out Wilkerson. . “t| looks to me as if this was a case for the courts,” he said slowly when he Bad examined Wilkerson s forced deeds. “I knew old Gallon pretty well, and; he thought a sight of (hat Ku ! girl. Fact is, be told me he Intended her to have the mine and left it to her ■\JHrius will. Now you toddle along with these papers and want to take It away from her.” k Gallon and I were partners r.s ago.” Wilkerson insisted. “We located this mine together, and when 1 ame back be gave me over my share.

‘'Tlut you want It all," tho sheriff said dubiously. “Sure; lt’» all mine," persisted the other. "Didn't Gallon use nil the money ho got out of it while I was uway? And whoa we cnuie to a settlement he I found that the mine wouldn’t pay half j lie owed me.” “I'm simply a peace officer," tho J sheriff said Anally. “I don't know who’s in tho right. That's for the court to decide.” “Wasn't lln possession?” demanded Wilkerson. "Haven’t 1 been driven out by force, me and my workmen?" “From wiiat I’ve seen of your workmen," was tho curt response, “1 don’t, like their looks. And there ore tales going around that Vlgas Is In the country." “How can I help who's in the country?" demanded Wilkerson. much in Jurcd. "That's your lookout, not mine. AH I'm asking for Is protection. The sheriff departed without giving him any satisfaction, and Wilkerson determined that he would act. The ft % .... ' it ,! ’ t >’■' \ JB • \>. 1 j f I If #' d: ( 1 -L,. M (■ , . & *"W mStk . e * i sA * r (Sr _ -- t Sr . - . “Ruth oughtn’t to be here.” Mexicans were getting restless, and the sardonic Vigas hinted sharply that he was impatient “All right" Wilkerson agreed. "We'll just go down to the road in the morning and then walk Into the camp. 1 cave it to me. 11l simply say I’ve come back to take charge and you are my miners." Vigas twirled his wiry mustaches. "And then?"

IMIHI iif u t The men looked each other in the eye. That evil glance was sufficient John Dorr and Tom Kune, meanwhile. had been in constant consultation. One thing was constantly in their thoughts. “Ruth oughtn’t to be hero,” John would say dismally. “If it weren't for her we could quickly settle these outlaws, for that’s all they are.” “1 reckon nobody would cry at the inquest," the cook returned, "if we did pot a few of thorn. But. ns yon say. the girl is here, and that puts figlging out of the question. Unless they start It," he added cautiously. "Wilkerson is bound to make some kind of a move mu?bty soon,” said Dorr. "He can't satisfy those fellows of his for long.” Yet when Wilkerson appeared at the entrance to the camp one morning with a motley train of followers Dorr was at a loss to know what to do Wilkerson was apparently peaceful ‘and expected a peaceful reception. His boldness had almost carried him through when the Ignorance and cupidity of oue of Vigas’ men gave John aud Kane the sorely wished for open ing. The Mexican peered into the window of one of the cabins aud saw a gold watch on the table. Instantly he broke the glass with the butt of his carbine and reached in for his booty. Dorr and Kane had warned the tui ners at the first appearance of Wilkerson that there might be trouble brewing. but that the first blow must come from the other side. "Boys,” said the old cook, “you know the sheriff. He's listened to both sides, and ne don't rightly know which is tho one to take. But one thing is certain—he's got to keep order and protect human life and our property. If those fellows make a wrong move we’ve got the sheriff on our side. See ?” They had seen the point, with many muttcrings. They had quietly prepared themselves for just the occasion which the Mexican’s act now gave. As the bandit pulled his arm back with the watch in his hand a revolver crack ed, and the arm fell shattered to Ids side. And as Wilkerson glanced furiously about him he saw the camp ready. He cursed the madden; d Mexican and grasped Vigas by the arm. “Stop your men!'' he implored. "Don't let them fire a shot or we are lost!” It wns too late. Passions long restrained now broke out. and within a minute a battle was raging between the waits of the gulch. The miners had the advantage. ±lcy fought from the shelter of their own cabins, and they were united by a common purpose. Their attackers were scattered, were divided between lust for toot and thirst for blood and had no sure refuge nor rendezvous. Yet they would eventually have made the camp untenable bad not the j thoughtful sheriff prepared a surprise for both parties. After consultation with his advisers in the county sent ho had appealed-to | th<> r-nv'rnor on the ground that as one of the opposing forces was Mexican.;

he felt that a superior authority should handle no d. Ik .(,> « rdtufltlou. Tho g o eruor b:d agreed and ordered a li'icn of cavalry to tho “.Master Key" >o p.. tvo order. It was Just when White: on had seen h'3 chance for a .'“'rad coup that the troopers arrived. Hath, with some of the women, had taken refuge In John’s house on tho hill, with old Torn Kane an their body* guard. Wilkerson knew that If he could capture Ruth he could make his own terms. He’directed several of his men to make a detour around the hilt and effect this. Meanwhile ho set lire to a cabin below In order to distract the attention of Dorr and his men. The rust* had nearly succeeded hut for Kane’s quickness. Though he had not used his gnu for many years, he had !o>;t none of Ills old time skill, and when the marauders made their final dash on the porch of the house, the coo!:, with a single glance over his shoulder, shot from tho hip. His man tumbled dead at Ruth’s feet, and his companions sneaked hack. At tha' instant the cavalry rushed in. and before live minutes were passed their commander had separated tho combatants and proceeded to disarm them. lie then called Dorr and Wilkerson to him and curtly states! that his orders were to see that there wns no trouble. “What your quarrel is I don’t know,” ho said. Wilkerson tried to argue, but neither tho officer nor the sheriff, who now arrived, would listen to him. They also turned a deaf ear to John Dorr's statement of Wllkerson's crimes, including the kidnaping of Ruth In San Francisco. "If yon have anything against Wilkerson.” the sheriff assorted, “swear out a warrant for him. I'll serve it quick enough.” Wlih this John must perforce be satisfied, but after a conference with Kano it was agreed that the latter should go to the county scat and make formal complaint and procure a warrant for Wllkerson’s arrest on tho ground of forgery. “You and I know those deeds he nourishes aren’t genuine." John said earnestly. "Let's make it an issue and try it In court. At any rate, we'll he rid of him for awhile.” “I know you’re right.” the old cook assented heartily. "I’ll be off today. With these troopers around the greus era won't dare do anything openly. But keep your eyes open. John! They will sneak something across if they can." “Trust me for that," was the reassuring response. But when Kane had gone Dorr realized that he was In a nasty predicament Wilkerson was desperately play-

' jf \ > 4 \ ' ' : ; ' a SIB \ I v : aK • \ ’ c. ■..!.»*■? 'frit \ < ■ ■ .;. , .... .. . ... : ; ■ -‘ '. ’ . ■ - r ’% \ - f f •-j ■ d -.. .Ibi.d fJ Mfcil&i The Cook Shot From the Hip. ing so bold a game that it would take every resource at his disposal to meet him successfully. Ruth must he protected In her rights. The “Master Key” mine must remain in her possession undisturbed. That would be impossible until Wilkerson was eliminated. And that man was after great stakes; otherwise ho would never have ventured so far. As ho debated this hiwaidly John went over in memory all the events of the brief period inCe old Thomas Gallon had died, leaving his daughter in bis charge. Before his mind's, eye ran the pictures of the last s cues and thenLike a flash it came to him! What was in that letter the old man had so ' carefully cherished and handed him at the last? Had Gallon foreseen something like this nnd prepared for it? In his last days. had his failing powers concentrated on his single aim and evolved a final safeguard for the “Master Key?” , With the sealed letter in his hand John Dorr stared at the superscription: Not to ho opened until my daughter's ci:"fiteenth birthday or before,then it her Welfare is threatened. Quickly he tore the envelope open. The Inel'ospJi'o fell (pit in two portions. I lie put tin rn together, with u muttered ! ejaculation at bis own carelessness and read the crabbed script: g ; v .' •••. si.. Jute I Liblo Girt * ib:..J currt kty v.-hat 1 write. Cn this drt-rn.ls vu ir future wo'ftiro. T.ie “I.JJ.--LT f.. • •Jo cited by ■line live- v<.: rs a:,-«> e m;3'.aed a mother

tods of Inestimable worth. Tlio exact lo•uiton of Urn lode Is written on a slip cf P- per, which 1 placed in the hcuil of mi Indian idol In mi old son chest, which went down with tho ship on which I wns wrecked. Op thq master key, the koy to that chest, mid which you wear on your neck, is curved thu location where tho vessel went down. Kind that slip of paper and the wealth Is yours. Your devoted father, THOMAS GALLON. CHAPTER XX. The Rival Wrecking Crewe. B)R some moments Dorr stared nt this message dead. True, it was addressed to Ruth, but its message wns to him, John Dorr. Now, In knew something of tho tremendous stake for which Wilkerson was playing. Ho deep In thought was he that lie did not notice that he was being spied upon. He must see Ruth and tell tier. He slipped the letter into liD pocket, not observing that the torn portion dropped to the table. As he hurried out. fat with his news, a Mexican stoic into tho room and, after a keen glance around, picked up the lilt of paper. He bad seen the triumphant expression on Dorr's face. That writing must he valuable. He tried to decipher it. hut failed. Ho he thrust it into his shirt and stole away. Half an hour later the last few Macs of that let;<-r were in Harry Wilkerson’s hands. It was not until he bad explained to Ruth the circumstances under which he had opened the letter and handed her the inclosure that John discovered that the last portion was missing, the part that told of the figures on the key. Together they sought It In vain. “Well," said Ruth cheerfully, "at least I have the key and now we know what those figures stand for." “Yes," he assented, "the latitude and longitude where the wreck sank. But 1 don’t like the disappearance of that last part It was rank carelessness oi mo. What If it shoißd fall into Wil- ■ kerson’s hands?” Ruth laughed, dangling the key by its ribbon. “We have the master key!" “Yes,” John replied more cheerfully. “He won t know where the place is. anyway. But we must arrange to find that wreck and get the chest.” “But if tho ship sank?” she said. “Lota of people will remember the wreck,” was the response. “And with this accurate position of where it went down a diver will be able to recover what we want.” They discussed this for some time and decided that as soon as Kane returned with the warrant for Wilker son they would start out for San i’edro and proceed to locate the sunken vessel and find if possible the chest and its precious contents. “With Wilkerson safely in the sheriff's hands and Kane on the Job here all will be safe,” John said finally But Wilkerson. with the torn scrap of paper in his hand, was planning swiftly and certainly. With Vigas be laid a scheme for that night. When the details were settled the bandit smiled crookedly. “I’ll get the. key myself," he remarked. "It will be a pleasure." "Xo roughness,” warned Wilkerson. “With a lady?” demanded Vigas silkily. "Never!” “All right,” was the response. “But remember these troopers aren’t overly fond of you.” The Mexican made his preparations to get tho key that held the secret of the treasure with peculiar care. One would have thought he was going to a ball, so fanciful his dress, so careful his whole get-up. When he had completed his arrangements he presented a striking and gaudy figure, with silver banded sombrero, heavy studded belt, embroidered shirt and flowing scarf. Wilkerson contemplated him mooili!y. "You'd better wear a Jumper and overalls," he snarled. "Any one can spot you a mile in that, dandified dress." Vigas kissed n dirty hand to the -tars. “In honor of the lady,” he said, with bravado. “Never shall It be said tlm Jose Vigas was Ignorant of the niceties of demeanor, senor." Finding his protests useless. Wilkerson subsided. Vigas departed, apparently for a stroll through the silent camp. He even stopped for a chat with a watchful trooper, who readily believed his casual statement that he was going on a lover’s expedition. It was .iust midnight when Vigas stood over (he bed on which Ruth lay asleep. For a long moment he stood there in his gaudy finery watching her. He seemed almost on the point of wakening her in order to satisfy his overweening vanity. But the clank of a bridle chain outside warned him that he stood in great peril. With swift Angers he tone bed the ribbon, bent over and gently drew out the key. He cut tho ribbon with one slip of his knife and looked at'his booty. But the girl's Immovable and lovely face drew his eyes again to her. With a sweep of his arm he lifted his heavy hat to her and passed out. silent as a cat of bis, native mountains. With the key in his possession Wilkerson became suddenly his own nervous self. He rfust get away instantly, he knew. Knue would be hack in the morning with a warrant. Already he was being watched by the suspicious troopers. He must escape this very night. After a short conversation with Vi gas and the appointment of a future rendezvous. Harry Wilkerson armed himself and started lazily down into the camp to see what was moving, i Nothing stirred. He returned to the! hill cthnp and thence swiftly and quietly made his way upward, taking advantage of every hush and rock that might afford him screen, lie was almost to the top when a

sentry challenged him aud stopped for ward. “I’m merely goin’ out a little ways for a walk," Wilkerson explained. “Not allowed after nightfall," wan the res[Kuise. Without further parley, Wilkerson leaped forward, grasped tho man’s rlf’e and tripped him. A moment later ho was footing It up to the crest at top speed, with the sentry’s cries for Help urging him on. Before he could reach tho divide a bullet whizzed by Ills bead, then nil other. He turned madly and fired rapidly down Into the shadows at his pursuers. Ho cursed himself for his folly when a second sentry appeared above him. drawn by the flash of Ills shots to his hiding place. There wan but one refuge, thu mine shaft. He plunged obliquely downward for it. Naturally enough, the troopers thought their quarry was cornered, but Wilkerson drove straight on downward to an old working, mounted again, crossed by u disused gallery and finally emerged far up the cliff. On his way he had picked up a coll of rope, and when he found himself on the edge of the precipice and his pursuers gaining on Dim he made one end of the rope fast nnd speedily started to descend. But the distance was too great. Before he was halfway to the bottom he had been discovered, and he felt the rope being haulcrl up. In despair, with a madman’s strength, he swung far out and then in, dropping on a little ledge concealed by the overhang of the cliff. As the rope came free in their hands ihe pursuers realized that their prey had escaped them. They peered over. Surely lie had foiiod the law only to meet death on the rocks far below. On his giddy perch Wilkerson heard their awed speculations and laughed silently. Then he crawled away. In the distance he heard the screech of a locomotive whistle, marking the passage of an express. The freight would be due in two hours. lie must make it. Tom Kane arrived early in the morning to find the camp in an uproar. The Mexicans had quietly vanished. Ruth was mourning the loss of the master key, and the sheriff, staring at the now useless warrant, was beyond words to express his chagrin. John Dorr alone was serene, though he realized that Wilkerson had again checkmated him. But the immediate need of the hour was haste. He instructed Kano to take charge of the mine and directed Ruth to prepare for a trip to the coast (hat afternoon. “Luckily I copied those figures,” he said grimly. Two days later John Dorr and Ruth were steaming up the channel from San Pedro in a launch fitted with diving outfit. The skipper of the launch remembered perfectly the burning of the steamer and, now that he knew tlie positiou where it sank, gave out great hopes of finding the hulk. “The sea Is shallow there, and the tides aren't strong enough to move her." he stated, “The only thing is, somebody may have been ahead of us." "Wilkerson couldn't be ahead of us." John assured Ruth. “I inquired carefully at San Pedro.” Yet at noon his unspoken fears were realized. There was another powerful launch ahead of them which their captain identified as a diving and salvage boat from San Diego. “Then they'll get ahead of us!” Ruth mourned. “After all our trouble!” The launch captain and the diver both comforted her by stating that the given position was not far away, that it was sometimes a matter of days to find a wreck even if the approximate location was known and that at any rate they would soon be near enough to see whether the other craft was successful. Two hours later Wilkerson's launch was swinging easily over the low Her Eyes Filled With a Mingling of Triumph and Hatred. swells not a mile from the bluff shore, and they could see his diver preparing to go down. “I hope he doesn’t find it!” breathed Dorr as he urged his owu men to greater speed. “They’ve struck the spot if those figures of yours are correct,” was the reply. “But time will tell.” When the two boats were close together John saw that Mrs. Darnell was with Wilkerson. He could see the bronze glint of her eyes, her eyes filled | with a mingling of triumph and ha-' trod. And that look grew brighter and | more malicious when the diver, coming ■ up from Ids first descent, showed a large hit of wood, evidently from a wreck. Though they could not hear the words, those on Dorr’s boat could understand the directions the? were being given. “Get over nnd send your man down flick!" commanded Dorr.

The captain and the diver glanced nt ench other doubtfully; then the former shook his head. "No.” lie said gruffly. "They found It. nnd It’s theirs by sea laiv. Anyway 1 ain't going to send my man down when there's danger, ns there always is with two men working under water at cross purposes." "But they'll get tho chest!” cried Ruth. “Walt nnd see,” said the imperturbable diver. Half an hour later John turned to r.nlli and said miserably; “Well, they have got it. That ends this excursion.’’ "Is flint your chest missy?" demanded the captain. “Yes, yes; my father's!" "Well." he said slowly, “there's nothing to hinder us going over and seeing what It looks like, is there?" He signaled his engineer nnd put Ids helm over. As they ranged alongside tho other launch Wilkerson raised Ids face to Dorr's wrathful gaze and smiled. Instinctively John put his hand on his gun. A rough touch on Ids shoulder recalled him. “This ain’t any piratical cruise," the skipper remarked meaningly. "That man was hired the same as me, and we ain't got, no fight with each other.' "Os course,” Dorr agreed willingly. Then lie made a leap for the deck of the other boat, intent on regaining the chest single handed. For the moment Wilkerson was paralyzed by the boldness of this move, but a moment later strong hands had (lung lyl Ruth Tried to Comfort John Dorr. John back on his own deck, and his skipper, thinking that matters had gone far enough, soon put a safe distance between the two craft. A little later Wilkerson's launen started off down the channel. “Now or never.” said Dorr to (he captain of Ids owu boat. "Don't lose sight of them. I must know .where they land and what they do with the chest.” •‘They're hurrying some.” was the response. “but 1 guess we can keep 'em in view, at least till night comes on." While tha moon was lighting up the smooth waters of the channel that night Ruth tried to comfort John Dorr. And as he listened to her gentle words and watched the loveliness of her face under the silver beams he forgot the bitterness in his heart and knew something of a happiness that Wilkerson. pawing over water soaked rags in raging despair, was never to Know. He Couldn't Lose. There was no sound except the faint and regular tick of n watch; otherwise silence and gloom pervaded the elegantly furnished drawing room, in one chair sat a beautiful girl, her lips tightly closed, her eyes stariug straight before her and her every muscle tense with a powerful effort of self control. In another sat a young nmn whose face expressed seriousness, but confidence. In his hand he held an open watch, which he observed closely, onlyraising his eyes now and then to glance at the beautiful girl who seem od to be in such agony. Five seconds, ten, fifteen, twenty seconds passed. The position of neither the young man nor beautiful girl had changed. Suddenly her eyes gleamed with a wild light, her bosom heaved, she clasped her hands convulsively and "I must speak!” burst from her bloodless lips. "Twenty-four seconds," said tho young man as lie closed the watch and put it hack into his pocket. "You lose the caramels by six seconds exactly." He had bet on a sure thing, but she wot not. Dancing In the Old Days. Dancing in the woods was tho old manner in the classic times, and mythology tells of the worship thus paid by the pagans to the gods. The poets sang of it. The priests of Mars were the principal dancers-in the sacred rites to that deity. There wns also the religious dancing alluded to in the Old Testament, as where David danced before the ark to express his joy and that of his people, and there were the dances of the Druids round the altars and the mysterious stones. Never, perhaps, in the history of the world vyiis dancing more popular than It is today—not even in tho pleasant times when in Frightnd. Ireland and France the people danced on the green. Oliver Goldsmith, traveling on foot, paid hjs J way by playing for the dancers on j his Mute. Baltimore News. (Continued next week) I

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