The San Francisco call., 1906-08-19


attached TO many pawned articles; TO
ascertain such histories OF the past; TO
follow up their conclusion in the future
these things greatly pleased the girl
and gave her en- interest In somewhat
dull life. She began 20 perceive that
there was more romance in modern
times than latter day skeptics ere Will
ing to admit. Tropical scenery. ancient
inns, ruined castles, are not necessary
10 engender romance. II Is OF the hu-
man heart, OF human life; and even in
the dingy Lambeth pawnshep II bios
somed and bloomed like some rare
Flower thrusting itself upward betwixt
the arid city streets. Romance came
dsily TO the gypsy girl. even IN her
prosaic business existence.
Out OF a giant tooth. an unburled
bone, mighty footprint, cuyier could
construct a marvellous and prehistoric
world. In like manner. from some trife
upon which she lent money Hagar
would deduce tales as fantastic as the
Arabian Nights, as adventurous as the
story Of Gil Bias OF such sort was the
romance brought about by the pawning
OF the copper key.
The man who pawned It was in ap-
pearance like some Eastern magi. and
the key itself, with its curious work
rnsnship, green with verdigris, might
have served TO unlock the tower of Don
Roderick. Its owner entered the shop
one morning shortly before noon, and
at the sight of his wrinkled face and
the venerable white beard which swept
his breast Hagar felt that he was a Gus
toner out Of the common. With a grUff
salutation he threw down a paper par
eel. which changed on the counter.
Look at that" said he. sharply 81
wish 10 pawn it."
In no wise disturbed by his discour-
tesy. Hagar opened the package and
found therein roll Of linen: this, when
unwound, revealed a slender copper key
OF no great size. The wards at the
lower end were nearly level with the
stem Of the key itself, as they consisted
merely Of I'VE or six prickles of copper
encircling at irregular intervals the
round stem. The handle, however
was ornate and curious, being shaped
like a Bishops croZier, while within the
crook Of the pastoral staff design the
letters &C. r." were interviewer in an
elaborate monogram. Altogether. this
-key-apparently very ancient-was a
beautiful piece Of workmanship but of
no value save to a dealer in rarities
Hagar examined it carefully, shook her
head, and tossed It on the counter.
4 wouldn't give you shillings on
H." said she, contemptuously; 1T is
worth nothing"
Bah, girl. You do not know what
you are talking about Look at the
workmanship"
Very fine. no doubt. but"
"And the monogram, you blind bat"
interrupted the old man. &C. R'-that
stands for Carolus Rex"
"Oh," said Hagar. picking up the
key again, and taking 1t to the light
Of the window, 'it is an historic key,
theu2'
Yes. It is said to be the key of
the box IN which the first Charles kept
his treaSonous papers which ultimately
cost him his head. Oh, you may look.
The key is authentic enough. 1t has
been in the Danetree family for close
on ESQ years"
And are you q Danetree?"
NO, am Luke Parsons, the steward
Of the family"
Indeed" said Hagar. with a pierre
ing glance. Then how comes the key
into your possession
Il don't recognize your right to ask
such questions" said Parsons in an an
cry tone. THE key came into my pos
session honestly"
Very probably, but I should like to
know how. Do not get in rage, Mr..
Parsons" added Hagar hastily; I'VE
paWnbrokers have TO be very particu-
lar, you know"
Il don't know" snapped the GUS
toner. but If your curiosity must be
satisfied, the key came to me from my
the Danetrees. It was given to him
by the then head OF the family some
sixty years ago"
What are all these figures craven
on. the stem?" asked Hagar, noting
number of hieroglyphic marks.
Ordinary Arabic numerals" retort-
ed Parsons. What they mean know
no more than you do. II I did. ! should
be rich" he added, to himself.
'Ahi there Is some secret connected
with these hgures?" said Hagar, over
:. 31earing.
IF there is, you won't find it out"
replied the old man, ungraciously;
"and Il is none OF your business any
how. What you have to do is TO lend
money on the key"
Hagar hesitated. The article. not
Vithstanding its workmanship, its age
and its historical associations. was
worth very little Had its interest con-
sisted Of these merely, she would not
have taken the key In pawn. But the
row Of mysterious figures decided her.
Here was a secret, connected-as was
probable from the remark of the old
man-with a hidden treasure. Remem-
bering her experience with the cryptic
gram Of the Florentine Dante, Hagar
determined TO retain the key, and, if
possible, discover the secret.
IF you are really in want of money,
I will let you have q pound on IT" she
said, casting a glance at the thread
bare clothes of her customer.
IF I did not need the money should
not have blundered into your spiders
web" he retorted. "A pound viii do.
Make out the ticket in the name of
Luke Parsons, the Lodge, Danetree
Hall, Buckton, Kent"
In silence Hagar did as she was bid,
in silence she gave him ticket and
money and in silence he walked out Of
the shop. When alone she took up the
keY and began TO examine the figures
without loss of time. The learning Of
many secrets had created in her burn
ing desire TO learn more. II Ingenuity
and perseverance could do IT, Hagar
was bent upon discovering the secret
OF the copper key.
This mysterious object was so COW
cred with verdigris that she was I'M
able to decipher the marks With her
usual promptness Hagar got the neces-
sary materials and cleaned the key
III &