Bisbee daily review., 1915-03-28
CHAPTER VI
The Golden Key

TAI partner in the office Thomas 619Tf Gallon slowly went up to the tss&k2zl bungalow. There was a gIim- mer of satisfaction fin his dim eyes as he thought Of the fact that the location Of the real lode was unknown and that the plans that might reveal it were far beneath the waters of the Pacific. He went inside to the desk and picked out of the locker drawer the golden key which held his secret He stared at it and read the num- bers that marked the position of the lost vessel, and the chest that held the plans. Whom could he trust with this? He looked out of the window and called to John Dorr.
 John" he quavered. i've already told you a little about my finding this mine and about my old partner"
 "WnkersonT'
 'Yes, Wukerson; but there is anoth. CT secret ] lost the location of the mother lode ln a wreck at sea. The chest slipped overboard; but find the wreck and somewhere near it is that old carved chest. and when you open the chest'- The old man suddenly staggered forward into Doris arms. CT killed him once," he muttered fee ply, and then the silence which pres ages the wordlessness of eternity over. came him. John gently laid him down on the bed and called Ruth.
 'FatherT she called softly as she knelt by the bedside
 Thomas Gallon stood on the great divide. but he turned back a moment to gather his strength. Then he mo toned with his gnarled hand for John. The young man stepped quietly for. ward and stopped over.
 My will John! l leave Ruth The Master Key In my desk-bring itI'
 When the desired paper was brought he whispered;
 Read itw
 John Dorr opened the document and read it aloud:
 "''aI leave all my property to my daughter Ruth. to come Into her ful possession on her eighteenth birthday. ] direct her never to let go of The Master Key which win make my little girl happy"
 So ran the last words. The old man lifted himself still farther up and call. ed for a pen and ink. Then. muster ing his failing powers, he wrote in a drm hand the further words:
 l direct that my daughter keep Harry Wilkerson as superintendent until she is eighteen. I appoint ns eXecutor of this, my last will and testament, John Dorr.
 THOMAS GALLON.
 The pen fell from his fingers, and he lifted his trembling hand to his throat and tore at the string that held the golden key. It broke. and he put the key in Ruth's lap.
 'That is the secret" he muttered "John knows-and Wilkerson. Trust John" Again be opened his eyes and modoned toward the desk. "The let. teri" he croaked.
 Ruth's quick intuition led her to the desk again. and she found in the same drawer that had held the win a sealed envelope addressed:
 John Dorr;
 To be opened on Ruth's eighteenth birthday. Sooner if her welfare Is threat ened.
 Gallon turned his dimming eyes to Ruth, who took both his chilling hands in hers.
 "Chndi 'The Master Key keep al. ways near you. Some day"--he choked fit will bring you riches. happiness and love"
 
 When he first heard that Gallon was dead Wilkerson was appalled, He thought Of the woman in New York and regained his courage. This was a case where he must win by brute force He must immediately show his author ity. He who struck first would Wln, he thought; yet in the back of his con. Bciousness was the realization that he did not know what disposition Gallon bad made of the property. And where was that rich vein of gold that would buy him Jean Darnell. with her velvet ways and her dark eyes of topazl
 Perhaps because for several years be had not handled other men, but been himself a mere cog in a great machine Wilkerson mistook the spirit of the miners. Be did not understand that they had a profound respect for Thom as Gallon.
 CT must get these people fin hand" ! thought Wilkerson. "and do 1t quick" He spent the afternoon fin making a schedule for a sweeping reduction in wages. Then he sent for Bin Tubbs, the engineer. When he had come gross, liquor sodden and half insolent the superintendent laughed at him.
 'Tubbs, what do you know about ! this mine7"
 Well" Tubbs answered, "the OFe banned out pretty good for awhile, but they lost the mother lode. There ain'i a csrload worth a dollar come out oi here in three months, and that little girl up on the hill won't have noth'