Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-08-26

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Ruth and the Deeds to the Mine.
Unwittingly they had got to the very
edge Of the roof in their fight, and Pell
was flung clean into the air, to fall
swiftly to the street below.
my God!!' cried the detective, run
ming up and peering over. you have
killed him.!
1t took some time to make matters
clear; still longer for the detective to
assure himself of the truth of Johns
statements.
Meanwhile officers from the central
station had arrived, called by the po-
liceman on the beat. To them also
Dorr had to tell his story.
well the fellow was q crook all
right" conceded the sergeant, for he
had plenty Of cocaine on him and a
little jimmy"
ut was an accident, my throwing
him over the edge" John protested. II
was merely trying to prevent his es-
cape"
ASolh wa Il1Cu llCL1CSdl cds dl1u d1C-
er listening to her story the whole par
ty went down to her room.
WED better see what he got, If any
thing" said the detective sergeant.
"He may have taken other things
she faltered, but all l saw was the
papers,"
We'll, Wen have a look-see for pa.
pers," responded the detective amiably
When the officers had gone away
Ruth turned and greeted the cook OF
the Master Key" with unfeigned af
lection and delight.
'"Tom, whatever brought you hereT'
she demanded at last.
Kane scratched his head and glanced
hastily at John. Then he looked al
Ruth, so fair in the moonlight, and
said gently: why, Ruthie, l just
thought l couldn't stay away from OLD
San Francisco when [ knew you was
here. So l came right up"
"And the mine?"
THE mine? Why, amt John tolG
ye? The boys are already workin' OF
that new lead. Everything is fine! "
don't suppose old Tom Kane would
have left if everything hadn't been al
right?"
She impulsively threw her arms
about his neck and Rugged him.
"You are the best old dear that evel
was, and 1 have a thousand things tt
tell you!"
Glow did you get up here?' asked
John c%uriously.
Kane laughed and looked at his
rusty hands. They told me Ruth was
in her room, and when l got there ]
found the door open and tile window
open, and when 1 looked out I saw he1
climbing and heard her calling. So
just sauntered up myself"
"Well," said John, cas- Ruth says she
has a thousand things to tell you, and
meanwhile we'd better be finding out
just what that thief did get"
Half an hour later Ruth looked uI
at them with tears in her eyes.
"The papers are truly gone," she said
quietly.
"Well, they shan't do anybody else
any good" John said comfortingly,
'and now that we have the thief I ex,
pect to dig out Of him what he did
with them. Don't worry"
They said good night and left her
quite cheered up.
When her door was closed John said
briefly. Come into my room, Tom"
Once inside, he turned on the old
cook and asked briefly, What brought
you here, Tom?' What's the matter
at the mine?"
Kane threw out his hands in a de-
spairing gesture.
al hades is the matter, john" be
said bluntly. IF we don't work fast
Wilkerson will have ruined our little
girl in there. There won't be any
Master Key any more"!
He choked back a sob. John Dorr
stared at the window, at the lights Of
the city below him and shook his fist.
"Wilkerson is somewhere down there
doing his dirty work. I'll get him
yet
Meanwhile he's got the mine in his
W mems hands," the cook went on.
He left Bill Tubbs in charge and
Bnp'-Kane choked over the words
that drunken hound fired me-6red
me, Tom Kane"
The old mans wrath, humiliation.
chagrln and sorrow were not ridicu.