The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-04-16

"- THOMAS
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Rival iWrecking Crews.
fT lOR some moments Dorr stared
at this message from the
dead. True, it was address,
~ ed to Ruth, but its message
was to him, John Dorr. Now, he
knew something of the tremendous
stake for which Wilkerson was play.
ing. So deep In thought was he that
he did not notice that he was being
spied upon. He must e Ruth and tell
her. He slipped the letter into his
pocket, not observing that the torn por-
ton dropped to the table.
AS he hurried out, fat with his news,
a Mexican stole into the room and,
after a keen glance around, picked up
the bit Of paper. He had cen the tr1-
umphant expression on DORIS face.
That writing must be valuable. He
tried to decipher it, but failed. So
he thrust 1t into his shirt and stole
away.
Half an hour later the last few lines
of that letter were in Harry Wilker-
sons: hands.
1t was not until he had explained to
Ruth the circumstances under which
he had opened the letter and handed
her the Enclosure that John discovered
that the last portion was missing. the
ma ~ that told ~ khn Ar,,roe, ~, Aho
key. Together they sought it in vain.
SWELL" said Ruth c%heerfully, at
least l have the key and now we know
what those figures stand for"
EYES," he assented. 1.-The latitude and
longitude where the wreck sank. But
l don't like the disappearance Of that
last part. 1t was rank carelessness of
me. What If it should fall into Will
kerson's hands?"
Ruth laughed, dangling the key by
its ribbon. 1--WE have the master
key"
Eyes," John replied more cheerfully.
He won't know where the place is,
anyway. But we must arrange to find
that wreck and get the chest"
"But If the ship sank?' she said.
"Lots Of people will remember the
wreck" was the response. "And with
this accurate position Of where it went
down a diver will be able to recover
what we want
They discussed this for some time
and decided that as soon as Kane re-
turned with the warrant for Wilker-
son they would start out for San Pc
dro and proceed to locate the sunken
vessel and find If possible the chest
and its precious contents.
with Wilkerson safely in the sher-
IFS hands and Kane on the job here
all will be safe," John said finally.
But Wilkerson, with the torn scrap of
paper in his hand, was planning swift
ly and certainly. With Vigas he laid
a scheme for that night. When the
details were settled the bandit smiled
crookedly. "1ll get the key myself
he remarked. 1T will be a pleasure"
mo roughness," warned Wilkerson.
with a lady?" demanded Vigas silk
lily. "Never"
,"All right" was the response. "But
remember these troopers aren't overly
fond of you."'
The Mexican made his preparations
to get the key that held the secret of
the treasure with peculiar care. One
would have thought he was going to q
ball. SO fanciful his dress, SO careful
his whole get-up. When he had com
pleted his arrangements he presented
a striking and gaudy figure. with sill
yer banded sombrero, heavy studded
belt, embroidered shirt and flowing
scarf.
Wtlkerson contemplated him mood
~. you'd better wear a Jumper and
overalls," he. snarled. ANY one can
spot you a mile in that dandifed
Dress"
Vigas kissed a dirty hand to the
stars. In honor Of the lady," he said,
with bravado. "Never shall 1t be said
tina Jose vigas was ignorant OF the
nicet1es Of demeanor, senior"
Finding his protests useless, Wilker-
son subsidized. Vigas departed, appar-
emily for a stroll through the silent
camp. He even stopped for q chat
with a watchful trooper, who readily
believed his casual statement that he
was going on a lovers expedition.
1T was just midnight when Yigas
stood Owe the bed on which Ruth. lay
asleep. For a long moment he stood
there in his gaudy 1nery watching her.
He seemed almost on the point of wax
ening her in order to satisfy his over
weening vanity. But the clank of a
bride chain outside warned him that
he stood in great peril. With swift
fingers he touched the ribbon, bent
over and gently drew out the key. He
cut the ribbon with n slip Of bis
knife and looked at his booty. But
the girls immovable and lovely face
drew his eyes again to her. With a
sweep of his arm be lifted his heavy
hat to her and passed out. silent as a
cat of his native mountains.
With the key in his possession Will
kerson became suddenly his " nerv-
GUS self. He must get away instant
", he knew. Kane would be back in
the morning with a warrant. Already
he was being watched BY the suspi-
cious troopers. He must escape this
very night.
After a short conversation with Vi
gas and the appointment Of a future
rendezvous, Harry Wilkerson, armed
himself and started lazily down into
the camp to see what vas moving.
Nothing stirred. He returned to the
hill camp and thence swiftly and