The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-02-11

But wilkerson, with the torn scrap "a
paper I'm his hand, was planning swift
" and certainly. With Vigas he laid
a scheme for that night. When the
details were settled the bandit smiled
crookedly. I'm get the key myself"
he remarked. III will be Il pleasure"
No roughness,' warned Wilkerson.
With q lady z" demanded Vigas silk
ily. Never
An right, IA 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 are. One
would have thought he was going to n
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.
Wilkerson contemplated him mood.
~. You'd better wear a jumper ana
overalls," he snarled. ANY one can
spot you a mile IN that dandihed
dress"
Vigas kissed a dirty hand to the
stars. "ln honor of the lady" he said.
with bravado. Never shall ii be said
tina Jose vigas was ignorant OF the
n~iceties OF demeanor. senior
Finding his protests useless. Wilker-
son subsidized. vlgas departed, appar
emily for a stroll through the silent
camp. He even stopped FOR a chat
with a watchful trooper. who readily
believed his casual statement that he
was going on a lovers expedition
IL was just midnight when VigAs
stood owe the bed ON which Ruth lay
asleep, For a long moment be stood
there In his gaudy inery watching her
He seemed almost on the point OF wax
ening her IN order to satisfy his ver
weening vanity. But the clank OF n
bride chain outside warned him that
he stood I'm great peril, With swift
fngers he touched the ribbon, bent
over and gently drew out the key. He
cut the ribbon with one slip Of his
knife and looked az his booty. But
the girls immovable and lovely face
drew his eyes again to her. With a
sweep OF his arm he lifted his heavy
hat to her and passed out. silent as a
cat OF his native mountains.
With the key in his possession VIII
kerson became suddenly his own nerv
Gus self. He must get away instant
~. he knew. Kane would lie back in
the morning with a warrant. Already
he was being watched by the suspi-
eious troopers. lie must escape this
very night.
After n 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 was moving.
Nothing stirred. He retained to the
hill camp and thence swiftly and
quietly made his way upward. taking
advantage OF every bush and rock
that might AFFORD him screen.
He was almost to the top when a
sentry challenged him ana stepped for
ward.
I'm merely goin' out a little ways
for a walk" Wilkerson explained.
Not allowed after nightfall," was
the response.
Without. further pafley. Wilkerson
leaped forward. grasped the mans rifle
and tripped him. A moment later he
was footing 1t up to the crest at top
speed. with the sentry's cries for help
urging him on.
Before he could reach the divide a
bullet whizxed by his head. then an
other. He turned madly and fired rap.
idly down into the shadows at his pur-
suers. He cursed himself for his fol
ly when a second sentry appeared
above him. drawn by the fash OF his
shots to his hiding place. There was
but one refuge, the mine shaft. lie
plunged obliquely downward for IL.
Naturally enough. the troopers
thought their quarry was cornered. bul
Wilkerson drove straight on downward
TO an old working. mounted again
crossed by a disused gallery and final
ly emerged far up the cliff. On hi
way he had picked up a coil OF rope
and when he found himself on the
edge of the precipice and his pursueri
gaining on him he made one end OF
the rope fast and speedily started e
descend. But the distance was too
great. Before he was halfway to the
bottom he had been discovered, ant
he felt the rope being hauled up. Ii
despair. with a madman's strength. HI
swung far out and then In. dropping
ON q little ledge concealed by the over
hang OF the cliff.
As the rope came free in their hands
the pursuers realized that their pre-
had escaped them. They peered over
Surely he had foiled the law only &
meet death on the rocks far below.
On his giddy perch Wilkerson heart
their awed speculations and laughed
silently. Then he crawled away. IL
the distance he heard the screech OF
locomotive whistle. marking the pas
sage of an express. The freight woul'
be due I'm two hours. He must make II
Tom Kane arrived early in the morn