The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-04-23


business won't wait" He smiled mag
nifcently. "And you just leave this
to me. I've been here since the mine
started, and l guess l can attend to 1t
from cook shanty to Wilkerson. The
main thing is to find Ruth. | know
she's safe, for nobody would hurt that
little girl But you've got to go to
Frisco and help her. Likely she's
found herself pretty much u stranger
| got lost in New Orleans once, and
reckon Frisco is bigger"
I'll CO." said Dorr promptly. I'll
leave my papers and my new plans in
your charge, Tom"
The old man laid his warm hand on
Johns arm. New plansT he whis-
pered Have you found the mother
lode2 Don't say anything to Wliker-
son."
"But he Is the superintendent
"Not of this shanty. never trust
an egg until I've broken it."
In Harry Wilkerson's dark heart
there was what he might in his twist.
cd vocabulary have termed happiness
His plans were working out to perfec-
ton. Jean Darnell had wired again
that all was we'll and that she would
have news for him in few days. This
meant that she and George Drake had
done their part. But he wondered why
1t was that John Dorr, who must Ger.
tainly be anxiously awaiting word
from Ruth. neither said anything nor
displayed a sign of Impotence.
1t did not escape him that Tom Kane
and the young engineer were In con-
sultation several times. What were
they planning? He determined to
probe boldly. When Dorr came into
the office in the afternoon and began to
clear up his desk Wilkerson asked
quietly, whats the news from San
Francisco1 Has Ruth wiredT'
John had been expecting this per
fectly natural question and was ready
with his answer:
Everything seems to be all right"
"Goodr said the superintendent dry.
ly. I'D like to get started on that
new lead pretty soon." He could not
repress a sour smile. "Since the old
rate of wages has been restored
guess you and may have to do with.
out our salaries for awhile"
John looked up and caught himself.
He was in no position to quarrel with
this man. PAY the men first, Of
course" he said. He proceeded to get
into a package Of blueprints and men,
oranda.
"Golng to mover suggested WTker.
son.
I'm going for a trip, and l thought
I'd look over my notes In the mean,
WHILE" was the response.
Wllkerson said no more. He went on
the alert. From Bill Tubbs he learned
that Dorr was going to run into either
Vale Vista or Silent Valley with the
motor truck.
The superintendent of the Master
Key" belonged to the type that is cat
like in its quickness Of action. based
on intuition rather than on reason.
While Ruth Gallon was carefully con-
cealed, It was more than possible that
Dorr would so stir things up with the
aid of Everett that all plans to seize
control Of the mines stock would be
futile. He must not be allowed to go
to San Francisco.
But how to prevent him? Wnker,
son Pondered this problem till his dark
face was sufrused with angry blood.
There was no way but the way OF VIC
lence. Among his sensuous appetites
was none for blood. but he nerved him.
self to his task and shortly after mid
day called for his horse and rode out.
stating that he was going across the
divide TO see about a fresh supply of
wood. In the saddle scabbard he car
ried short saw.
Spanning an arroyo between two hills
halfway to Silent Valley was a short