The San Francisco call., 1906-08-19

PENCIL, she copied them out carefully,
with the following result:
2O2llsi4ll625i25S2o5 2o5255-H-3S51S212
An odd tumble of figures" said Ha-
gar, staring at the result OF her labors.
4 wonder what they mean?n
UnYersed in the science of unraYel-
ing erypogramS, she was unable to
answer her own question, and, after an
hour of proftless investigation which
made her head ache she numbered the
key according to the numeral of the
ticket and put it away, But the oddity
of the affair, the strange circums tance
of the figures with the letter H strand
ed among them often made her refieo-
tive and she was devoured by curios-
ity-that parent Of all great discover
ies-to know what key and figures
meant. Nevertheless, for all her thought
no explanation of the problem pre-
sented Itself To her the secret of the
key was the secret of the Sphinx-as
mysterious, as unguessable-
Then it occurred to her that there
might be some story or legend or ira
dition attached to this queer key which
might throw some light on the mystery
of the figures. If she learned the story
it was not improbable that she might
gain a hint therefrom At all events
Parsons had spoken of concealed riches
connected with the reading of the
cipher. To attempt to unravel the
problem without knowing the rea-
son for which the figures were
engraved was, vulgarly speaking,
putting the cart before the
horse. Hagar determined that the cart
should be in its proper place, viz, at
the tail of the animal. In other words,
she resolved first to learn the legend
of the key and afterward attempt a
reading of the riddle. To get at the
truth IL was necessary TO see Parsons.
No sooner had Hagar made up her
mind to this course than she resolved
to carry out her plan. Leaving Bolker
to mind the shop, she went off down
to Kent-to the Lodge, Buckton, that
address which Parsons had given to
be written on the ticket With her
she took the key, in case it might be
wanted, and shortly after midday she
alighted at a little rural station.
Oh, 1t was sweet to be once more in
the country, to wander through green
lanes o'er-arched with bending hazels
to smell the perfume of Kentish or
chards, to run across the springy turf
of wide moors golden with gorsei Such
a fair expanse was stretched out at
the back Of the station, and across 1t
-as Hagar was informed by an oblig-
ing porter-Danetree Hall was to be
found. At the gates thereof, in a
pretty and quaint lodge, dwelt surly
Mr.. Parsons, and thither went Hagar;
but in truth she almost forgot her err
rand in the delights of the country.
Her gypsy blood sang in her veins as
she ran across the green sward, and
her heart leaped in her bosom for very
lightness. She forgot the weary Lam
bet pawnshop; she thought not of
Eustace Lorn; she did not let her mind
dwell upon the return of Goliath and
her subsequent disinheritance; all she
knew was that she was Romany lass,
a child of the road, and had entered
again into her kingdom. In such a
happy vein she saw the red roofs OF
Danetree Hall rising above the trees of
a great park, and almost Immediately
she arrived at the great iron gates, be-
hind which, on one side of a stately
avenue. she espied the lodge wherein
dwelt Parsons.
He was sitting outside smoking a
pipe, morose even in the golden sun
light, with the scent of flowers in his
nostrils, the music of birds in his ears.
On seeing Hagar peering between the
bars of the gate he started up and
literally rushed toward her.
"Pawnshop girlr he growled. like an
angry bear. What do you want7"
'Civility in the first place; rest in
the second" retorted Hagar coolly.
Let me in, Mr.. Parsons. have come
to see you about that copper key"
You've lost it?" shouted the gruff
creature.
Not I; it's in my pocket. But wish
to know its story
"Why" asked Parsons, opening the
gates with manifest reluctance.
Without replying, Hagar marched
past him, into his garden and the porch
of his house. Finally she took her seal
in the chair Parsons had vacated. The
old man seemed rather pleased with hei
ungracious behavior, which matched sc
well with his own; and after closing
the gates he came to stare at her bril-
liant face.
You're a handsome woman. and a
bold one" said he slowly. "Come in.
side, and tell me why you wish to know
the story of the key"
Accepting the invitation with civil
ity, Hagar followed her eccentric host