Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 109, Decatur, Adams County, 7 May 1915 — Page 3

MASTER KEY. . - T CHAPTER XXV. fl Th* E»capo of Ruth. hi* experience in res I culi.g John Durr from the bauds ut the outraged priests ot Bhala. Sir Donald l awr *baxn ptepared to start the new day «e could not well realize Just what ■had bawened in the twenty-four hours that hup Just ended It needed the (..tuiuoin luo details of a uiomiug’B toilet to uake things seem actual. And h hat ! s they were that changed ’■ xvj:<-. future! Hath 1 I ' ■! 10 marry him! Eaver; ■■ 1 1 to that great class of I who unite the virtue® l a'tiing with an adaptab ’mice which has mm ' the colonizer of th® He Wt hi many ways as n dock 1 ■ ' uld amaze the most R sionable ad ventu|ti Wil ' ’ ! 1 His ad: 4 I n frank and ingd<p of feeling. His •< iti j to join John Dorr and ntl u i ls 'arch for the mission ‘I h: i I on what he called a lark Itw •'’iatlon with her, the cip ant view o. her pretty innopae of her profoum'er nd womanly nature that had tuipiied his heart and wakened in him fe mgs that he had refrained from C”n f essing to himself. came the moment when she •had tur dto him for help and he had >been th' single person in the world who could save John Dorr. Sharp and brief as had been the struggle in his own mind, it had brought him to an acknowledgment of the fact that she was the only woman tie wanted for his wife. On the very tick of her hour of trouble he had ventured to ask his reward tor Svice. , She had promised, and now be, bare net and retired officer of the Dritish army; shook like a boy at the thought of the happiness that awaited him. They met at breakfast. Dorr still ■howtng the effects of his night s ad ventures. Ruth bright eyed from want of sleep and Sir Donald alone present Jng the appearance of one who had be ■m the day aright after a sound bight's rest. Their natural topic of conversation gras of Dorr’s attempt to capture the !do! and Sir Donald's rescue of him. John could give little satlsfactiun to Ruth’s minute Inquiries, and the Englishman confessed that be himself, though much more familiar with the native ways and native temples, had not much notion of exactly how it had Clicane about nor how he had found Dorr and extricated him. "The only thing I gather from it all thia," be said amiably. "You bad tetter take my advice in this country and Bot try to perform any of your .western feats. India is a very old fPWitry. and they resent here anything that do. follow the good old lines.” . “iijUp[>OKe 1 was very foolish." John eonfrwod ruefully. “But when 1 saw thattaiag" right within reach I simply couldn't resist the temptation to grab it and try to esctii>e." Sir Donald looked at Ruth meaningly. “I can't say that I’m a bit sorry, old chap,” he told Dorr. “After all, as you say, it’s an 111 wind that blows no one any good.” Instantly Ruth caught his meaning, and her eyes fell. Yes, she had promised, sand this brave gentleman who had risked his life for her sake should not be without his reward. But)—' e stare,l miserably at her John rallied her and swore that he •• ould : -t t the plans “And tell us ■ ■ t v \ a; > ’ .%* .”.’’”«fflflB? I *1 auppose I was very foolish.’’ John confessed ruefully. Donald remarked, pointing to a much (bedraggled native who had entered the compound and was evidently waiting for some one. t “That’s my old servant,” be continued. “If you will excuse me I’ll go and hear what he has to tell us.’’ i Ruth and John watched the two of them for some time, the tall, carefully dressed Englishman and the dirty na1 They could see that the latter was imuch excited, and toward the last Sir (Donald himself seemed to lose a little ,<rf his aplomb. > Finally they saw him nod curtly to the native, who squatted down on the .pavement. A moment later he had rejoined them. His usually placid face bore an expression of anxiety. “What can be the m.-.tter?" demanded Ruth. > “Not anything for you to worry about,” replied Faversham. “I’m sure >1 can arrange everything presently;

but you certainly stirred up the priests, "Well, what do they intend to do?’ Inquired John, undisturbed, except that he did not understand a glance exchanged by Ruth and Sir Donald. “It seems they have started a kind of holy war against us," the baronet answered grimly. "You desecrated their Idols and they’ve excited a lot of the people against you and”— "And what?” demanded John impatiently. With n meaning look toward Ruth, Sir Donald faced Dorr. "This is not a place for Miss Gallon,” ho said formalt v «•'. w t- - Z A ■' * \ h . i / .a l | \’c v-ii I ' ’* a I . k Ji I H#**'. ’,l :, wil L ! 1 i' b < I S I 1 1 -I R i t i t ' 4 She Impulsively Turnea to John. ly. “The truth of the matter is, we are known to be stopping here and the mob will undoubtedly visit us shortly.” “But the police”’ Sir Donaid looked very uncomfortable Indeed. “My dear fellow, don’t you realize that what you and 1 did last night was purely and simply indefensible? We tried to rob a temple, to be frank about IL” “I tried to recover some papers belonging to us,” he protested. “We would have a stiff time trying to prove that to the officials here,” was the reply. “As a matter of fact, I can’t afford to bring this up. I’m still practically an officer and I should have a deuce of a time clearing myself. You can’t afford to call in the police because you’re an American, and you broke British law, and I very much fear killed a British subject or two.” "I see," Dorr assented thoughtfully. “But what are we to do?’ "Precisely, precisely the question,” said Sir Donald. “You and I could slip away, but there is the young lady to consider." “And the plans,” said John doggedly. Sir Donald flushed angrily. “I am considering the young lady in this matter." “And I. as her guardian, have to think of her be-i interests,” was the retort. Envers' 'tn 1 at bis mustache Jn |(l ■ he said quietly. ..] t : i : ( Eon has really put her it i mean?” stammer. 1 I rr E ..» came from the sf j. ( t! • s mud of cries and ver- tad ttamphng feet. The two m . at . other. With one accord they withdrew inside the hallWil' ■ • . : the mob < cling!” Sir Donald said hoarsely. "Now tor it; ‘• u c must save Ruth at all events!" "C rtainly,” said Faversham coldly. "Put 1 must plan quickly. Ah, here cemes my faithful Achmetl Tlie servant spoke rapidly in the vernacular, and Sir Donald answered in the same tongue Then he turned to John. "Bring Miss Gallon here quickly, he commanded “Don’t alarm her needlessly.’l Ruth responded to the summons without a tremor, and when a few hurried words had informed her of what was afoot she turned to the Eng lishman and said simply. “What shall we do?" "I am going to put you in charge ot my old servant Achmet,” he told her. "I trust him, and he will see you safe. Dorr nnd I shall have to go a separate "b'v this time the mob had filled the street without and was yelling for veugeance on the sacrilegious white men, punctuating its demands with an occasional stone against the walk Achmet bowed low before Ruth and with a gesture indicated that she was to follow him. She hesitated. Sir Donald curtly said, “Hurry!” She impulsively turned to John, nnd he saw’ her eyes filled with anxiety for him. That satisfied his wounded heart, and ho urged her on. When she had disappeared in the wake of the hastening servant Sir Don aid glanced at Dorr and then said abruptly: "Come ahead! We’ll try a t ack way out”

"We shan't interfere with Ruth’s getting away, shall we?” John re « ponded. There wns a glimmer of admiration in I'nversham’s eyes as ho shook his head. "No. Achmet will take her his own way. We go nn entirely different one —if we escape the mob." Tie had liardly spoken when tho out er gate swung inward and there was a wild crush of struggling bodies between the high pillars. A stone struck the floor between the two Europeans. “Come with me." said Faversham and drew Dorr around a corner nnd then inside a small entry. Another entry giving off this offered escape and they darted down It. An instant later they were In nn empty courtyard. “I ow where I mn now,” Favershliin lid coolly and opened a gate In the open- it<- wall which led into a garden Fl’. •I. to; the two men were sin q,O|>t lane out of sight d nd of th.' mob. “Th s . : I <’ i| < -:r things,” Dorr sug ■ “No 'l' " 1 ' '< rnr I the police will seb to it thnt they ■’ ■ r All they wanted wna you and ine. Fall Ing to cat Ii u . th v will disperse." "But uh - ■ ihall wo find Ruth?” John w nt <>u eagerly. r to n i nnip of beggars out -ide the city." he answered. "But how? She won’t be safe with only a native.” .' if r than with a regiment of sold was the response. "I know v 1 th place is. Let's go to it. 1 go i-a.di ' that we shall find Miss Gallon i. so and sound. T know Achmet of eld. He Is specially trustworthy became lie is a Mohammedan and he doesn’t respect idols any more than you and I do.” They finally reached the camp up the bank of the river and Achmet salaamed before them. “Where is the maiden?” demanded Faversham. The servant rose and took the covering off a large basket. Ruth smiled up at them. “I heard your voices,” she said, laughing. “Achmet thought I ought to get out right away, but I wanted to surprise you.” “And that is the way you got out of the hotel?” demanded John. “Yes, Achmet tucked me into this basket and carried me right through all those terrible people.” "What is to be done now?” John demanded presently. “I’ll have Achmet get our belongings,” said Faversham. “This gang here is his, he says. We can’t do better than stick with them for awhile. I believe they are going up into the hills anyway. So much the better for us. Bhala is no spot for you and me Just now.” “But the idol and the plans!” protested John. “We know where it is today. Tomorrow it may be a hundred miles away or hidden past our eter finding it!” “Thnt Is true,” said Sir Donald. “But the safety of Miss Gallon is paramount. I will do what I can. Possibly I’ll be able to do more than you think.” With this Dorr had to be content, but later when he and Ruth were alone he brought the subject up again. To his nmazemenk Ruth seemed little interested and her manner was an aid mixture of reserve and timidity. Gone was the old frankness and intimacy. At last John said quietly. “I hope you don’t think 1 was wholly careless of your safety last night. My only ob Ject was to get back your papers." And Ruth, with Sir Donald’s flushed face before her eyes and bis voice in her cars, remembered her promise and was silent

CHAPTER XXVI. Wilkerson Again on tho Trail. rTT'r’V’ haa not been cli ® clllt for I I llarr y Wilkerson and Mrs. LJ" .-d Darnell to trace Faversham ISg?. jr-| and his |; rty from the time they landed to their arriv il in Bhala But the idol tl’i' object of their quest, stii! ■ whereabouts in spite (>f th ii ’ uiii’UF- inquiries. “We’ll Ini" .- e to watch Dorr,” Wilkerson ‘-a’ i at f"t "’.Vo know he - <4 -.ww l ■; / to* ol Jean Darnell Sullenly Agreed. is on the trail, and we’ll just follow him. Sooner or later we’ll catch him.” Jean Darnell sullenly agreed, but privately confided to Drake that she thought Wilkerson had lost his nerve. The climate did not suit her, nor the iood, nor the primitive modes of travel, tad her temper grew worse and worse. ’Jrake promised to do some investigat

Ing on his own hofck. He was once more completely under the woman's' domination, and ho dreamed of finding the precious papers himself nnd so puting Wilkerson out of the running. Strangely enough, the man, weakly vicious as be wus, was possessed by an honest nnd whole soultsl love for Jean. She knew this, nnd nt times her tawny eyes rested on him with unmistakable affection, but she knew’ perfectly well that she would choose Wilkerson provided lie made goal by gaining tire master key and uncover ing tho wealth of the great mother lode. it was Drake who brought tho news of tl>e riot in the temple and the, outcome of Dorr’s attempt to steal the idol. “Ho wns disguised nnd thought he could get away with it,” he went on. “But tho priests were too quick for id tn.” Wilkerson’s shifty eyes narrowed “I’ll get that idol!” he “I forgot to tell yon that tho idol | isn’t there any longer," Drake con tinned. "From what 1 could learn the temple wasn’t considered n safe place for it, nnd it’s disappeared." "Whore to?” demanded Wilkerson. “That I couldn't find out. it was rather risky asking too much anyway to s’-' V “The idol isn’t there any longer,” Drake continued. but a white man who lives with the, natives hinted that they had taken it up the river into the hills.” With this slight clew both Drake and Wilkerson toiled unweariedly until they had established the fact that the idol had indeed been sent into another part of the country for safe keei>ing. Thon they prepared to follow, having found out thnt Dorr nnd Faversham had vanished nnd were supjtosed nlso to have gone liijhv.-ird. Mrs. Darnell most unwillingly con sented to stay behind, but yielded when Drake set before her the difficulties and perils of the road they must take. Both men promised to lie gone only so long as would be netslful to recover the idol, and to both separately she made It plain that she had gone as far as she would in helping them. The two mon found a couple of halfbloods to their liking apd by judicious expenditure of money managed to get together a small band to accompany them into the hills. It was impressed apcm niotn that the trip was dangerous and that the hillmen frequently dropped what small pretense they offered of peaceableness and warred on friend and foe alike. It was through these also that they learned more specifically the route taken by the priests in charge of the idol. Equipped at last, they started forth and for two days kept pretty closely to the river, which wound about through the hills, mounting slowly to its source in the mountains. Several times they heard of Faversham and Dorr, but Wilkerson refused to turn aside or delay once on the trail of the idol. And at last they came within view of the little cavalcade which was escorting the god to a place of safety. Vile as were the men he had hired. Wilkerson dared not trust them too far. lie knew that they were superstitious. and he feared that when it came to a battle between avarice and inborn terror of the supernatural he would be left in the lurch. So he warned Drake not to appear too-nnxious and by no means to let their followers know that they intended to seize the image and take it away with them. "But if the papers are in that idol,” Drake protested, “we ought to be able to get thorn and replace the old Image, with nobody a jot the worse.” “Thnt may be possible,” was the response. “On the other laird, the plans may be conceal:so that it will take time to find ihcra." They discussed a dozen plans and finally decided that the next night the two of them, accompanied only by tiieir guide, should make the trial. “But supposing they have the image, where shall we find it?" questioned , Drake. "They have a lot of stuff in their packs, and you may be sure they have concealed the idol well. Unless I they feared its being stolen again they wouldn’t be going to all this pains.” “We'll find it all right,” was Wilkerson’s sole response. The evening came when they were to put their scheme to the test. Their own little company made camp and after supper gradually went to sleep. It was 10 o’clock when Wilkerson nodded to Drake, and they quit their places by the dying fire. | Outside of the circle they met the 1 man who was to guide them, and one I glance at his brutal face showed WilI kerson that he was once more confronted with a problem. The man made no bones of demand-

ing a large extra sum lu compensa-1 ! lion for ids risks and intimated with ’ extreme plainness that in case his ex-' orbitant blackmail wns not paid be wqfild not only not accompany them, but put it out of their power to go alone. For nn hour Wilkerson bnrgnincd nnd haggled, but nil to no purpose. At last lie gave In nnd practically stripped himself of coin, which the other pocketed without a thank you. The three of them started forth under a glimmering moon toward tho priests’ camp, a mllo or so awny by a spring. Half nn hour’s stendy tramping brought them within eyeshot of tl>o place, nnd Wilkerson went ahead to spy out tlie lay of tilings When lie ctiMO back he roughly told Drake, in reply to his question, that the idol must be in one of the pack sacks lying about. "It’s a on?'? of Micik up nnd get a[ sack ench ot us nnd then look for the | idol in it,” In- said "All right!" Drake gr< .vied. “But it’s risky busiim . ( ln <no of a muss where’ll we meet again?’ “At our own camp.” Wilkerson whispered and led the wqy. When they came close to tho spot whore the natives were asleep the three of them paused nnd listened. Presently Wilkerson gave a silent signal thnt no one was awake, nnd they crept up among the baggage. The first two sacks yielded nothing and Wilkerson was reaching out for one that seemed bulkier than the rest when their guide coughed and instantly n couple of the priests wakened. Seeing strangers, they gave an alarm, nnd one, apparently a soldier, fired off i an ancient mpsket so close to Drake j that he incontinently dropped his burden and tied. He beard Wilkerson cursing behind i him. a couple of more shots and then took to bls heels in good earnest as he lieard rapid footsteps. A moment later Wilkerson had caught up to him, panting nnd dragging the sack, which be had refused to surrender. Between them they carried it on further nnd then rested in n slight hollow till their guide came up. “If the idol isn’t in tills sack,” Wilkerson said with a snarl, “I’ll go back and shoot up the whole outfit nnd get it.” When the thongs were cut and the great bag opened the first object that 1 met tbeir eyes was the image they sought glimmering in the half light. The moment he saw it and knew that his quest was ended Wilkerson flung the rest of the stuff away nnd boldly got to his feet. "Now for our own camp. We’ll just see where those plans are.” he growled. Drake and the guide both protested in vain. Safely away from pursuit, they lit a light and examined their find. "It’s the same one.” Wilkerson said triumphantly. •\Made of metal, too," said Drake sl*vly. "No*‘, wTiere hre the plans?” “Inside of M!” announced ins companion, beating on the idol with his knuckles. “Now to find out the opening.” It did not take long for him to discover the movable eye. nnd when he had pulled that out he thrust bis finger in and withdrew it with a folded paper. “Safe and sound,” he exulted, dropping the image to the ground, where \ - • JflWlL yr i ! | 4 R « K 3 ? j Tho First Object That Met Their Eyes Was the Image They Sought. it lay staring grotesquely at the stars through its singie eye. Drake and Wilkerson carefully ex- | amined their find, and Wilkerson laugh- ’ ed almost hysterically. “The gold isn’t a thousand feet from the main tunnel of tlie ’Master Key’ mine!" he said triumphantly nnd thrust tho plans into his bosom before I Drake could see more. "If those plans are lost or anything happens to you.” Drake said, with an I ugly note in his voice, “all our trouble goes for nothing. 1 am entitled to a copy of those plans.” j Wilkerson laughed in his face, and the expression on his saturnine visage made even the brutal guide cringe backward. "Give you a copy!” he snarled. | “When I’ve hunted for them all these ■, rears and suffered the agonies of hell

on account of them? Tbcy’ro mine! All that Hold is mine! Mine! Mine, I tell you!” This last ho almost shouted into the still air, and Drake drew back. Tho man wns mad. "At least let them hnro their idol," he muttered, picking It up. Wilkerson snatched it nway from him with a gesture at onco childish nnd murderous. "I think I’ll keep this for a memento," ho cried, careless of who might hear him. Ho stood up, tho image in his grasp, and before the sound of his blasphemy 4.. ■ 1 - 7’ “Give you a copy!” he snarled. Drake and the guide crept away in silent horror. And not far distant Faversham sat vigilant by the side of his camp watching over the sleep of Ruth Gallon. Possibly it was an echo of Wilkerson's savage cry of triumph that stirred her in her dreams. She sighed and reached out one slender hand. It touched that of John Dorr and rested there as if she had found safety. Sir Donald saw that movemenL and his eyes burned with jealousy. But he did not move, keeping his ears open for the slightest sound, his eyes for the faintest shadow between his charges and the horizon. Animal Actors. The impression is created by an occasional moving picture of wild animal life that the beasts, in order to force them into poses for the camera, are cruelly treated. Nothing, however, it is said, is further from tho truth. Careful investigation has shown that force is seldom employed, and wherever It has been used the film resulting has been unsatisfactory. Mr. Ernest A. Dench, a London naturalist, who has made an extensive investigation of this phase of the movie industry, declares that the dumb actors are given every consideration. The thrills experienced by the spectators are the result, in a majority of instances, of the very innocent u«pedlent of placing a piece of meat at a strategic point. The animal leaps for it. and the cinematograph records every motion of the leap. The spectator, of course, sees nothing of the meat and concludes that cruelty alone could produce the picture thrown on the screen. “The animals,” be concludes, “really have a muclj easier time than those that appear in tri; !; acts on the stage.” —Detroit Free Press. Round About Dorking. The neighhoi ho”d of Dorking, where George Mer dith lived, has many literary associations independent of its connection with that famous novelist. It was nt Burford Bridge, near Dorking, that Keats completed “Endymion" in November, 1817: close by. at the Rookery, was born Father Malthus. the popular economist, and at West Humble Frances Burney, after her marriage with General d'Arblay. built Camilla cottage with profits of her novel of that name and settled down. Sheridan resided at Polesden and John Stuart Mill at Mickleham, while other illustrious residents in the locality in earlier times were John Evelyn and Daniel Defoe. To most people, however, the chief literary association of Dorking is with Dickens, for was it not nt the Marquis of Granby's, variously identified with the White Hart and the’Old King’s Head, thnt Mr. Weller. Sr., made the fatal blunder of proposing to a "vldder?”— Westminster Gazette. Fewest Battles In December. December is the least belligerent month in the calendar. A correspondent who has analyzed the dates of over 1,000 battles of the world, from Marathon to Mons, finds that fewer than fifty of them were fought In December, and these few were among the least important and decisive. Scarcely one of them would be known to the proverbial schoolboy. On the other hand. July, as is only fitting, seeing that it is named after a soldier, is the most belligerent, with 132 great battles to its credit or otherwise, and is closely followed by August with 122.—Westminster Gazette. | (Continued next week)

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