Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-16
Seuen Keys to Baldpate
BY EARL DERR BI0GERS
Copyright by Bobbs-Merrill Coz

sheepishly at first, then gladly as he
saw what was in them. For the light
there, under the tears, was such, as
no man could mistake. Magee saw
it. Hayden saw it too, and his voice
was even more lifeless when he
spoke. ,,r
"Forgive me, David" he said. Il
didn't mean
And then, as he saw that Kendrick
did not listen, he turned and walked
quietly into the bedroom of number
seven, taking no notice of Cargan and
Bland, who, with the other winter
guests OF Baldpate, now crowded the
doorway leading to the hall. Hayden
closed the bedroom door, Mr.. Ma
gee and the others stood silent, won
dering. Their answer came quickly
the sharp cry of a revolver behind
that closed door.
1t was Mr.. Magee who went into
the bedroom The moonlight
streamed in through the low win
dows, and fell brightly on the bed.
Across this Hayden lay. Mr.. Magee
made sure 1t was not a pleasant
thing to make sure of. Then he took
the revolver from the hand that still
clasped it, covered the quiet figure
on the bed, and stepped back into the
outer room.
.'He-he has killed himself" he said
in a low voice. closing the bedroom
door behind him.
There was a moments frightened
hush; then the voice of Kendrick
rang out:
KILLED himself? 1 don't. under
stand? Why should he do that?
Surely not because-no-" He looked
questioningly into the white face OF
the girl at his side; she only shook
her head. KILLED himself" he re-
peated, like a man Weakened from
sleep. 81 don't understand"
On tiptoe the amateur hermits OF
Baldpate descended to the hotel Of
flee. Mr.. Magee saw the ewes of the
girl of the station upon him, wide
with doubt and alarm. While the
others gathered in little groups and
talked. he took her to one side.
When does the next train leave
| for Reuton?" he asked her.
I'm two hours-at tent thirty" she
replied.
you must be on it," he told her,
with you will go the two-hun-
dred-thousand-dollar package. l
| have it in my pocket now"
! She took the news stolidly, and
made no reply.
| Are you afraid?" asked Magee
gently. You mustn't be. No harm
can touch you. shall stay here
and see that no one follows"
I'm not afraid" she replied. Just
startled. that's ALL Did heidi he
do it because you took this money
because he was afraid of what would
happen?"
you mean Hayden" Magee said.
mo. This money was not concerned
! in-his death. That is an affair be-
! tween Kendrick and him"
II see," answered the girl slowly.
I'm so glad it wasn't--the money. I
couldn't bear it if it WERE
May | call your attention." re-
marked Magee, Ito the fact that the
! long reign of I'm going to- is ended,
and the rule of I've done it. has ba-
gun. I've actually got the money
Somehow. it doesn't seem to thrill
you the way thought 1t would"
! But 1t does-oh, 1t does!" cried the
| girl. Il was upset--for a moment.
It's glorious news. And with you on
| guard here, I'm not afraid to carry it
away-down the mountain--and TO
Reuton. I'll be with you in a mo-
ment, ready for the Journey
/ She called Mrs Norton and the
two went rather timidly upstairs to-
| gether. Mr.. Magee turned to his
companions in the room, and men
| tally called their roll They were all
there, the professor. the mayor, Max,
Bland, Peters, Miss Thornhill, and
the newcomer, Kendrick, man pre-
maturely old, grayed at the temples.
and with a face yellowed by fever.
He and the professor were talking
earnestly together, and now the old
man came and stood before Magee.
Mr.. Magee," he said seriously. 81
learn from Kendrick that you have
| in your possession a certain package
of money that has been much buff
! feted about here at Baldpiate Inn.
Now SUGGESTING, demand"
Pardon me, professor" Mr.. Magee
interrupted. Il have something 10
suggest-even to demand. 1t is that
you, and every one else present,
select chair and sit down. I suggest
though 1 do not demand, that YOU picl
comfortable chairs, for the vigil tina
| you are about to begin will prove 6
long one"
What d'you mean r. asked thu
Mayor of Reuton, coming miIitantI,
to Professor Bottoms side.
Magee did not reply. Miss Morton
and her mother came down the stairs
the former wrapped in great coat
She stood on the bottom step, he)
cheeks flushed, her eyes ablaze. Mr.
Magee, going to her side, reflected
that she looked charming and won.
derfui, and wished he had time ff
admire. But he hadn't He took from
one pocket the pistol he had removed