Courier Democrat., 1915-10-21

"A0 "'oi lue COdSl Was clear except
for few too badly wounded to join
in their comrades flight.
Now that the immediate peril was
past. Wilkerson and Dorr found them
selves again antagonists.
But both were so wearied that hy
one accord they silently consented to
truce.
Yet Wilkerson could not resist taunt-
ing his rival.
1t looks as if you were always q
little late" he said, throwing himself
back in a settle while John dropped
upon a stool by the table
81 heard you got the idol" John re-
piled in a dull tone.
"Ies. and what was in the idol too!"
Then, despite brakes gestures Of re-
monstrance. he went on: II got the
deeds and the master key and the
idol and the plans Tom Gallon robbed
me Of guess I'm ahead in this
game"
John nodded. his fatigue so great
that he was unable even to reply.
II guess that's right" said Wilker-
son in an altered tone "We'll catch Il
little needed sleep and get away be-
fore daylight. Time enough then to
talk"
For Il little while both men kept their
eyes open. watchful each of the ether
Wilkerson was the first to laugh and
say: whats the use? I've got the
things and the men to defend them
I'm going to sleep. You'd better do so
too. Drake will keep watch"
John nodded carelessly and laid his
head on his hands, folded on the table.
A moment later he was asleep, and
not long afterward Wilkerson's satur-
nine visage was turned to the shad-
owy ceiling.
Drake sat in corner on the pack
sacks. his revolver in hand
The natives slumbered across from
him. apparently oblivious Of any dan
ger
When the hut was completely quiet
except for the breathing Of the Sleep
ers Drake allowed himself to fall into
a deep reverie
Now that the quest was practically
ended he had begun to think about his
own part in it and reckon on his re-
ward.
Long association with Wilkerson had
shown him that he had nothing to ex-
pect from him unless by an appeal to
his self1shness.
There was but one person who might
reward him-the woman they both
loved, Jean Darnell
His mind went back to his first DAYS
of acquaintance with her in New York,
and he seemed again to feel the soft
threads Of the web she wove about
him.
She had found him young man at
the precise point where a woman may
either make or mar one for life.
He had been an easy prey for her
tigerish desire for slave He had
spent his little money lavishly upon
her, without thought Of other reward
than to be near her, until Wilkerson
had appeared out Of the darkness of
her past.
Even then he had still been faithful
to her, obeyed her every behest, risked
life and liberty in her service, even
aided NVilkerson in an endeavor whose
success meant that he Drake) would
be cast aside as no longer useful.
And now he sat on guard in hut
in far country among crowd of
aliens whose very tongue was gibber-
ish to his ears.
On guard for whom? For what?
That Wilkerson might finally sue
ceed and win Jean Darnell of the
tawny eyes and luxuriant beauty.
In that moment-was it to be too
late?-Drake came into his own.
The mine and its wealth were as
much his as NNilkerson's.
The plans We're his as much as
Wilkerson's.
Yet the man asleep on the settle had
taken everything to himself and would
continue to do so.
And Jean: .....
Drake laughed silently
He knew her price. He remembered
his last conversations with her, those
half confidential. talks when she had
lnsinuatingly warned him to keep a
watchful eye on Wilkerson
He had been given to understand
that it was the gold she wished. And
he Orakel had the key to that gold