The San Francisco call., 1906-08-19


the ugly fashion OF the early Victorian
era. Chairs and sofa were of mahog-
any and horsehair; a round table, with
gilt-edged books lying thereon at reg
uiar intervals, occupied the center of
the apartment and the gilt-framed
mirror over the fire place was swathed
in green gauze. Copperplate prints of
the Queen and the Prince Consort dec
Grated the crudely papered walls aud
the we'll worn carpet was OF q dark
green hue sprinkled with bouquets of
red flowers Altogether painfully
ugly room. which made any one gifted
with artistic aspirations shudder. Ha-
gar. whose eye was trained to beauty,
shuddered duly. and then took her seat
on the most comfortable OF the ugly
chairs
why do you want to know the story
of the key?" asked Parsons, throwing
his bulky figure on the slippery sofa.
Because / wish to read the riddle of
the key"
Parsons started up and his face grew
red with anger. NO. mol You shall
not-you must not! Never will make
her richw
Make whom rich?" asked Hagar,
astonished at this outburst.
Marion Danetree-the proud hussey!
My son loves her, but she disdains
him. He is breaking his heart while
she laughs. If that picture were found
she would be rich, and despise my poor
Frank the more"
"The picture? What picture?
why. the one that Is hidden said
Parsons in surprise. The clew to the
hiding place is said to be concealed
in the figures on the key. II you find
the picture it will sell for thirty thou
sand pounds, which would go to that
cruel Miss Danetree."
Il don't quite understand" said Ha-
gar, rather bewildered. Would you
mind telling me the story from the be-
ginning?"
LAS you please" replied the old man.
moodily. "I'll make it as short as I
can. Squire Danetres, the grandfather
OF the present lady, who is the only
representative Of the family, was very
rich and a friend of George the Fourth.
Like all the Danetrees, he was a scamp,
and squandered the property OF the
family in entertainments during the
regency. He sold all the pictures OF the
hall save one, THE Nativity" by An
drea del Castagno. a famous Florentine
painter of the renaissance. The King
offered 10000 for this gem. as he
wished to buy ii for the nation. Dane
tree refused, as he had some compunc-
tion at robbing his only son and wished
TO leave him the picture as the only
thing saved out Of the wreck. But as
he determined to sell this last valuable.
Then the picture disappeared"
''Efcw did 1t disappear"
my father hid It," replied Parsons,
coolly. 'Tt was not known at the time,
but the old man confessed on his death
bee that, determined to save the fam
lily from ruin, he had concealed the pic
ture while Squire Danetree was indulg
ing in his orgies in London. When my
father confessed the spendthrift squire
was dead, and he wished the son-the
present Miss Danetree's father--to pos
sess the picture and to sell 1t. in order
to restore the fortunes OF the family
well. did he not tell where the pic
ture was hidden?'
mo. he died on the point OF revealing
the secret" said Parsons. "All he could
say was The key! the key.' Then
knew that the hiding place was indi-
Gated by the row of figures craven on
the stem of the copper key. l tried
to make out the meaning; SO did my
son; so did Squire Danetree and his
daughter. But all to no purpose. None
can read the riddle"
But why did you pawn the key?'
1T wasn't for money, you may be
sure of that." snapped the old man
''or ! should not haze taken a paltry
pound for it. No. I pawned it to put
1t beyond my sons reach. He was al
ways poring over it, so l thought he
might guess the meaning and find the
picture"
And why not? Don't you want it
found?"
Parsons face assumed a malignant
expression. Mo- said he. sharply-"for
then Frank would be foolish enough to
give the picture to Miss Danetree-to
the woman who despises him. II you
guess the riddle. don't tell him. as
don't want sto make the proud jade
rich"
Il can't guess the riddle, replied Ha-
gar, hopelessly Your story does not
aid me in the least
While thus speaking her >.A wan
dered to the wall at the paoK CT the
glum old steward. Thereon atss law in