Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-01-08
THE MASTER KEY
nY JomN FLEMINa WILSON

"All my clothes are with that horrid
woman" she whispered
"I'll rig you out, and then we'll go
shopping" was the rejoinder.
With the help of the maid and the
housekeeper Ruth was presently made
presentable for the street, and John,
I'm dry clothes and none the worse for
his ducking, met her I'm the lobby.
Il have engaged taxi by the hour
he told her. Il think 1t will rest you
more TO get tho fresh air and dig
around In the shops among tho pret.
ties than 1t will to brood in your own
room"
Ruth hesltated shyly. But I have
no money, john"
"Oh." he said blankly. and then
thought came to him. Why, here |
am carrying around II lot of the ranch
money which was going to turn over
to you"
Once in the taxi Ruth told him OF
her experiences from the time she had
left the mine. John listened soberly,
though once in awhile q heavy flush
on his cheeks betrayed his deep seated
anger at the plotters who had not only
tried to deprive her of her mine, but
had finally risked her life and liberty.
Tt's all that man Wilkerson," he said
when she had finished. He caused
your father to- make him superintend.
ent of the mine and then bounded him
into his grave. He Is your bad angel,
Ruth. But | am here now, and I'll
get busy with Everett and finish
things up. and we'll soon be back al
the mine and have things going again
He answered her questions about the
situation at the Master Key" as tact
fully as he could; he realized that her
nerves were badly shaken. He woulI
trust to old Tom Kane to hold the fort
In the mountains while he transacted
the necessary business in San Fran.
cisco.
He directed the chauffeur to drive
them through the shopping district
and while Ruth spent several hours in
replenishing her wardrobe John sat in
the taxi and studied things out But
he was continually seeing Wilkerson's
dark face before him, and before they
returned to the hotel he had determin
cd to find out where he was and what
he was doing.
While Ruth went to her room to
dress for dinner John sat in the lobby
and completed his plans. He did not
observe slender. quietly dressed
young man with very pale face, who
sauptered in and out with an occasion.
al trip to the cigar stand to light a.
fresh cigarette. 1t was Henry Pell.
The ex-thief had spent the day going
from hotel to hotel. searching the reg
| listers. It was only at last that he
went TO the Manx. There he found
| the name Ruth Gallon on the regis.
ter and below it John Dorr" This
he reported to Wilkerson, who swore
luridly. but emphasized the necessity
of getting hold of the papers immedi-
ately. .,
"And I trust you to do it." he said
meaningly.
Pell, flushed with drugs, nodded
briskly. "T'll get 'em, all right, Har-
ry,' he said, but did not add his in
most thought. which was that with the
papers once in his own possession, he
could easily get much more from Will
kerson than the 5000 he had promised
"When will you have themT Will
kerson went on impatiently.
Pell smiled family, but significantly.
II know your address," he remarked
"rll deliver them there when 1 get
them"
But when?" growled the other.
Pell fiicked his cigarette stub into
The gutter and whistled. II never
make dates ahead" he said quietly.
"But it won't be long"
"Have you your plan an schemed
Sut?"
Pell winked and moved on.
CHAPTER XIV.