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

morning. But John had hurried hel
into a cab, ordered it driven to the
Manx and quickly made arrangements
for Ruth to occupy his room with Il
maid to look after her.
"All my clothes are with that horri:l
woman" she whispered.
"Ill rig you out, and then We'll 90
shopping" was the rejoinder.
With the help of the maid and the
housekeeper Ruth was presently made
presentable for the street. and John.
in dry clothes and none the worse for
his ducking. met her in the lobby.
II have engaged II taxi by the hour. y
he told her. II think it will rest you
more to get the fresh air and dig
around in the shops among the pref
ties than 1t will to brood in your own
room"
Ruth hesitated shyly. But have
no money. John"
"Oh!" he said blankly, and then a
thought came to him. "Why, here ]
am carrying around lot of the rancl:
money which l 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 IL 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.
Its 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
things up. and We'll soon be back at
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 We're badly shaken. He would
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 Wilkersons
dark face before him, and before they
returned to the hotel he had determine
ed 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 a slender, quietly dressed
young man with Il very pale face. who
sauntered 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. 1t was only ut last that he
went to the ManX. There he found
the name Ruth Gallon" OH the regis
ter and below it John Dorr" This
he reported to Wikerson. who swore
luridly, but emphasized the necessity
of getting hold of the papers immedi
ately.
"And trust you to do it," he said
meaningly.
Pell. flushed with drugs, nodded
briskly. "l'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 viii.
kerson than the 5000 he had promised
! when will you have them?" Will
kerson went on impatiently.
Pell smiled family, but significantly
II know your address," he remarked
"1ll deliver them there when ge,
Them
But when?' growled the other.
Pell ficked his cigarette stub into
the gutter and whistled. 81 never
make dates ahead" he said quietly
"But it won't be long,
"Have you your plan all schemed
out?"
Pell winked and moved of.