Evening journal., 1915-02-04

unbalanced by his nnN ETY. Wilf % an VINO
is aiiye has continually scarchoa FOR Gal
lon. and writes his cousin. Mrs. DorneU
A New York, that he is 40 last ON tho right
track lie arrives NO the mine and confronts
Gallon who faints from fright
and effect this Meanwhile he set fire
10 cabin below i'm order to distract
the attention Of Dorr and his men.
The ruse had nearly succeeded but
for Kane's quickness. Though he had
not used his gun for many years, he
had lost none Of his old time skill, and
when the marauders made their final
dash on the porch OF the house the
cook, with a single glance over his
shoulder, shot from the hip. His man
tumbled dead at Ruth's feet, and his
companions sneaked back.
At that instant the cavalry rushed
in, and before five minutes were passed
their commander had separated the
combatants and proceeded TO disarm
them
lie then called Dorr and WilkersOn
to him and curtly stated that his or.
ders were 10 see that there was no
trouble "What your quarrel is don't
know he said
Wilkersou tried TO argue, hut neither
the officer nor the sheriff. who now ar.
rived. would listen TO him. They also
turned deaf ear to John DORIS state.
ment Of Wilkerson's crimes. including
the kidnapping of Ruth in San Fran
cisco
III you have anything against vii.
kerson." the sheriff asserted swear
out a warrant for him. I'll serve II
quick enough"
With this John must perforce be sat
ished. but after a conference with
Kane It was agreed that the latter
/ should go 10 the county seat and max,
/ formal complaint and procure a war
rant for Wilkerson's arrest on Tn,
ground Of forgery.
''You and ! know those deeds h,
dourishes aren't genuine John SAT-
earnestly. Lets make It an issue an
try IL I'm court. At any rate, wen b
J rid Of him for awhile
II know you're right" the old COO
assented heartily. I'm be or today
With these troopers around the greas
ers won't dare do anything openly
But keep your eyes open. john The
win sneak something across II the.
can"
"Trust me for that" was the reas
suring response.
But when Kane had gone Dorr re
allied that he was in a nasty predica
ment Wilkerson was desperately play
ing so bold a game that it would TAX
every resource at his disposal TO NEE
him successfully. Ruth must be pro
tected in her rights The "Maste
Key mine must remain in her posses
sion undisturbed. That would be I'M
possible until Wilkerson was elimlnai
ed. And that man was after grea
stakes; otherwise he would never hav
ventured so far.
AS he debated :his inwardly Johl
went over in memory all the events o
the brief period since old Thomas Ga
Ion had died. leaving his daughter 4
his charge. Before his minds eye ra
the pictures Of the last scenes an
then
Like fash IL came 10 hint Wha
was in that letter the old man had S
4 carefully cherished and handed hiI
, az the last? Had Gallon foreseen som,
thing like this and prepared for Il?
= his last days had his failing power
concentrated on his single aim an
evolved n fnal safeguard for the "Mai
ter Keyt"
With the sealed letter in his han
John Dorr stared at the superscriptioi
Not TO be opened until my daughter
r sighteenta birthday or before then II HI
3 welfare Is threatened
= Quickly he tore the envelope opel
p The inclosure fell out i'm two portions
j. Ie put them together. with n muttere
SPECULATION at his own carelessnes
and read the Grabbed script:
? Silent Valley. cal June 90
Little Girl-Read carefully what 7 writ
p On this depends your future welfare.
The Master Key" fninc discovered t
ne FIVE years ago contained a m9thi
lode Of inesumabie worth. The exact
cation Of the lode Is written on a slip
y paper. which ] placed in the head Of
m Indian idol in an old sea chest. whi
went down with the ship on which 1 "
- wrecSed
On tho master key. the key 20 n
IN chest. and which YOU wear on your ne
ld Is carved the location where the yes
Is. went down. Find that slip OF paper q
IA the wealth IL yours. Your devoted faith
THOMAS GALLON