Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-04-01

S4L worked secretly uuU Ia uI0
own way. 1t was like WilkersOn to
respect fellow crooks special meth
DDS and mannerisms. He never inter-
erred with an expert when that expert
was working for him.
Rut he could not refrain from fur
tive glance in the lobby Of the hotel.
He saw John Dorr there. still bearing
the bruises and burns gained in the
wreck of the auto truck. He stared at
him, for there was something uncanny
In seeing in the flesh the man lie had
thought to have killed. Then he went
swiftly away. us Ruth came out of the
elevator and joined Dorr
At supper both Ruth and John were
silent. not only from WEAKNESS. but
because they had not settled things
yet. Everett hadn't been seen nor any
preparations made for the raising OF
the money needful to improve the Mas
ter Key" mine. So by mutual consent
they made short meal Of 1t. In the
lobby they sat and talked Il little while.
but presently Ruth had to confess that
she was worn out
"Of course you are" said John re-
pentantly. "I'll take you right up and
turn you over to your maid. good
nights rest will set you on your feet
again"
II shall dream of that horrible China
mani" she murmured. shuddering.
Don't let that worry you." he said
comfortingly. II have room right
near yours, and If you want help I'll
be there
She thanked him. and together they
entered the elevator and were lifted to
their floor. In the hallway Ruth grave
ly shook hands and said GOOD night :"
John tried to hold her little hand long
err than was needful. but she shook
her head and slipped away to her own
room. just down u short hall. He
watched her open the door and turned
to go to his own room when thought
struck him. and he called gently.
"Ruthy'
She came back quietly. I'm so glad
you called me-" she said. with evident
nervousness. after all, it's ridiculous
ly early to go to bed. Let's go for
flde some mOre.'
They went out through Golden Gate
park and after Il brief stop on the
bright beach came back into town by
way of the Presidio.
Ruth was now quieted. and as they
got out at the hotel she sighed hap
PLY.
"That was beautiful, John" she said.
At the desk the clerk handed John q
note addressed in grabbed hand. He
tore it open, glanced at the contents
and turned to Ruth.
"Old Tom Kane got here t0night!'
he exclaimed. HE came while we
were out and left this note for me-"
Ruth's face lit up wonderfully.
Where is he? Where is he?" she de-
manded. 81 want to see him.
At her door he left her with a hasty
I'm be right in as soon as Tom comes,
Ruth
Gall right!'' she called back. and
opened her door as he opened his own.
She paused on the threshold at the
sight within. A tall man in light
mask was delving into the desk and
rummaging among her papers and be-
longings. AT the sight of her he quick
ly thrust bundle Of papers into his
pocket and slipped toward the open
window. Then Ruth understood and
screamed for help.
John Dorr heard that call and In
three bounds was in her room. She
pointed to the open window, gasping:
"That way! The thief! He stole tho
deeds!"
Without word Dorr leaped to the
window. 1t opened on fire escape.
He peered down. No one. He looked
up. A slight figure was mounting
quickly and silently toward the roof.
Within another instant John had
swung himself out on the ladder and
was climbing rapidly after the I'M
known housebreaker. He paid no ut
tention to Ruth's agonized cry after
him: ''John! John! Don't go after
him, He'll hurt you!"
HelplessIy she peered out of the win
down and saw the two figures going
swiftly up toward the crest of the
building The seconds seemed hours
|
stumble and catch himself. That de-
cided her. She picked up her skirts
and stepped out on the platform her
self. Then she gingerly swung her
self out on the iron ladder and com.
menced to climb upward. She saw the
thief reach the cornice and crawl over,
then John. She struggled on up Sob
1 4; ,;e,;,, ho Hn
the rusty rods. Once or twice she
stopped and called: John! joint"
There was no answer.
Then she realized. that there was an
Their on the ladder below her. She
nearly lost her grip and fell. Surely
it must be some accomplish Of the
thief! She FASTENED her way up the
ladder. not daring to look down again.
AT last she gained the cornice. where
the ladder bent suddenly outward and
she must perforce almost hang sus-
pended by her hands. But she man
aged to surmount this difficulty and
stumbled forward on the roof Of the
hotel
At first glance she saw no one. The
roof was huge, broken here and there
by skylights and chimneys and air.
shafts. The shadows cast by the moon
lay dark and strange across the tarry
gravel.
John. John" she called softly
Then again. in terror, she cried shriliy
John! Oh. joint"
AT that moment the figure Of the
masked man slipped from behind one
of the chimneys and made for the hrs