The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-05-28
THE MASTER KEY.
CHAPTER XIX.
A Message From the Grave.

L" trestle had not been unno-
SS%=st ticed by his outlaws, and be-
Et482 fore any one in the camp
could make sure that the man was
dead a couple of the Mexicans had
quickly slipped down the hill to him.
They found him still alive. Without
paying any attention to John DORIS
men, who were still doubtful of the
outcome of the battle, they dragged
their fallen leader away and up into
their own temporary camp.
1t was not long before Wilkerson re-
vived. He wGs terribly bruised and
almost insane from physical pain and
wild rage at his defeat. 1t was with
difficulty that the unsmiling outlaws
restrained him Their chief took upon
himself the task of making 1t plain to
Wilkerson that this was no time for
rash and unorganized attack.
"They have beaten us so far, senor,"
he said quietly, land you are very
sick. Tomorrow we shall see."
The next mornings sun had scarcely
touched the peaks of the mountains
when WilkerSOn stretched his stiff,
sore limbs and began fresh campaign.
He made 1t CIGAR to the leader of the
Mexican outlaws that they must work
swiftly.
sit won't be long before the news of
this fighting gets out and the authori-
ties take hand" he said. But if we
can just get this mine into our posses
sion in the next three days | can hire
men and swear that DOrr and his gang
are trying to take our property away
by force, guess my word will be as
good as his
Every WE'LL" agreed the Mexican
after thoughtfuly considering the mat.
ter I'VE can get back into Mexico in
twenty-four hours from here. So long
as you pay us and let us-what do
you call it-loot, my men are with
you"
Wilkerson covertly studied the deS
perado's impressive viSage Jose NigIs
bore renowned name on the border
for daring. shrpwdneSs and wicked
ness. He was known ms "The Merc-
less" For five years he had had II
price set OH his head. yet because of
the loyalty of his udherentS and his
own fearlessness he had escaped.
No man better fitted for a sinister
purpose could have been found. Yet
mingled with Wilkerson's satisfaction
at having such II tool to his hand was
a dread Of the man himself and his
calm insistence on the privilege of loot
ing the camp when it was captured
gave him sense of nausea
After all. they were Americans down
there In the Master Key camp
Through his binoculars he could see
Ruth on the porch of the bungalow
Vigas. too. saw her He took no pains
to conceal the cruel interest In his eyes
The next few days resulted in little
advantage to either side. John Dorr
could not reopen the mine nor even
send in for much needed supplies be
cause of the constant menace Of the
outlaws. who occasionally fired scat
tering shots down into the gulrh as Il
warning that they were vigiant
On the other hand Wikprson found
1t impossible to seize the camp with
out precipitating battle. from which
he shrnnk Deeply involved us he al
ready was In crime. he dreaded to
cross the border line which would for
ever place him beyond the pale and
make him an outlaw.
Instead. he used every method 10
put himself outwardly In the r:Sh: He
sent plea after plea to the sheriff OF
the county to come and restore order.
asserting that he had been driven from
his rightful property by violence and
that the situation wns such that. with