Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-02-03

ne remarked. tlt VIII be pleasure"
NO roughness," warned Wilkerson.
with a lady2" demanded vigas silk
| lily. "Neverr'
"All right" was the response. "Bu,
remember these troopers aren't overly
fond Of you"
The Mexican made his preparations
to get the key that held the secret of
the treasure with peculiar care. One
would have thought he was going to q
ball, so fanciful his dress. so careful
his whole get-up. When he had com.
pleted his arrangements he presented
a striking and gaudy figure, with sill.
yer banded sombrero. heavy studded
belt, embroidered shirt and flowing
scarf.
Wilkerson contemplated him mood.
ly. You'd better wear jumper and
overalls," he snarled. "Any one can
spot you mile in that dandified
dress"
Vigas kissed dirty hand to the
stars. "In honor of the lady," he said,
with bravado. Never shall it be said
Nhu bOSS lSao war Oh tile
niceties of demeanor, senor.'
Finding his protests useless. wilker-
son subsided. Vigas departed. appar-
emily for a stroll through the silent
camp. He even stopped for a chat
with watchful trooper, who readily
believed his casual statement that he
was going on a lovers expedition.
1t was just midnight when Vigas
stood over the bed on which Ruth lay
asleep. For a long moment he stood
there in his gaudy finery watching her.
He seemed almost on the point of wax
ening her i'll order to satisfy his over
weening vanity. But the cIank of a
bride chain outside warned him that
he stood in great peril. With swift
fingers he touched the ribbon, bent
over and gently drew out the key. He
cut the ribbon with one slip of his
knife and looked at his booty. But
the girls immovable and lovely face
drew his eyes again to her. With a
sweep of his arm he lifted his heavy
hat to her and passed out, silent as a
cat of his native mountains.
With the key in his possession VIII
kerson became suddenly his own nerv-
Gus self. He must get away instant
ly, he knew. Kane would be back in
the morning with q warrant. Already
he was being watched by the suspi-
cious troopers. He must escape this
very night
After a short conversation with vi
gas and the appointment of a future
rendezvous, Harry Wilkerson armed
himself and started lazily down into
the camp to see what was moving.
Nothing stirred. He returned to the
hill camp and thence swiftly and
quietly made his way upward, taking
advantage of every bush and rock
that might afford him screen.
He was almost to the top when a
sentry challenged him and stepped for
ward.
I'm merely goin' out a little ways
for a walk" Wilkerson explained.
Not allowed after nightfall," was
the response.
Without further parley, Wilkerson
leaped forward, grasped the mans rifle
and tripped him. A moment later he
was footing it up to the crest at top
speed, with the sentry's cries for help
urging him on.
Before he could reach the divide a
bullet whizzed by his head. then an.
other. He turned madly and fired rap.
Idly down into the shadows at his pur
suers. He cursed himself for his fol.
ly when a second sentry appeared
above him, drawn by the fash of his
shots to his hiding place. There was
but one refuge, the mine shaft. He
plunged obliquely downward for it.
Naturally enough, the troopers
thought their quarry was cornered, but
Wilkerson drove straight on downward
to an old working. mounted again,
crossed by n disused gallery and final
ly emerged far up the cliff. On his
way he had picked up a coil of rope,
and when he found himself on the
edge of the precipice and his pursuers
gaining on him he made one end Of
the rope fast and speedily started to
descend. But the distance was too
great. Before he was halfway to the
bottom he had been discovered, and
he felt the rope being hauled up. In
despair, with a madman's strength, he
swung far out and then in. dropping
on little ledge concealed by the over.
hang of the cliff.
AS the rope came free in their hands
the pursuers realized that their prey
had escaped them. They peered over.
Surely he had foiled the law only to
meet death on the rocks far below.
On his giddy perch Wilkerson heard
their awed speculations and laughed
silently. Then he cfawIed away. Iu
the distance he heard the screech of a
locomotive whistle, marking the pas.
sage of an express. The freight would
be due in two hours. He must make ii.
Tom Kane arrived early in the morn
ing to find the camp in an uproar
The Mexicans had quietly vanished,
Ruth was mourning the loss of the
master key, and the sheriff, staring at
the now useless warrant, was beyond
words to express his chagrin.
John Dorr alone was serene, though
he realized that WiIkerson had again