Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-01-30
COPYRIGHT. 1914. BY JOHN FLEM-
ING WILSON


was as if they had not heard him. In
lower tone he repeated 1t. 81 am the
owner of the Master Key mine and all
that goes with it,
He held up the papers. and Bill
Tubbs looked at them and gravely nod
ded his head. as much as TO say that
he had inspected them and could vouch
from the miners.
There is II quality in the silence of
the crowd OF earnest men that is more
questioning than any word could be.
The men who had worked and toiled
for old Tom Gallon. who had been de-
ceived and batfied who had had their
loyalty tested to the utmost. now de-
manded through their imperious ST,
lence that Wilkerson open up his mind
TO them. II he was indeed the owner
OF the Master Key" what did he in.
tend to do?
You'd better say some more quick.
ly," warned Drake in low tone. And
Wilkerson. completely bewildered. set
the match TO the powder He stepped
forward with as ugly look as he
could assume and cried, Now tell me
what you want?'
Instantly the air was filed with
roars of rage and disappointment.
Fifteen minutes later Harry Wilker.
son was sweating within the cabin.
With a shaking hand he poured him
self out a tumbler of Tubbs' whisky.
He had promised the miners back pay.
steady work, full wages and food. He
must make good. and he did not know
how.
"Tubbs," he said sharply, you must
find out what men we can trust. Say
nothing. but get all the information
you can. I'll make it worth the while
of the men who'll stick by me-
Again the engineer chuckled fatuous-
ly. They'll all stick by ye," he said
sagely. ''s'long as We pay 'em like you
said We would
1t was late in the afternoon when
Tom Kane appeared on the mail wag-
on. The driver had already informed
him of how affairs were going, and
the cook wasted no time. He climbed
down from the high seat. jerked bis
battered case out of the wagon and
made straight for his shanty. Within
five minutes he had divested himself
of his black clothes and donned his
official overalls and apron. Then he
appeared on the porch as calm and un'
concerned as though he had not been
away.
In no time at all couple of dozen
miners had gathered to shake hands
and swap news. Naturally their big
gest item was Wilkerson's proclama-
ton of ownership.
At this Tom Kane laughed scorn-
fully. lie derided the papers, ridiculed
the miners for being fools easily taken
in and stated in set terms that he,
Tom Kane, actually held the place of
authority.
This soon came to WiIkerson's ears.
and he hurried down the hill to stop
what he knew to be a dangerous seces-
sion. Instantly the old cook locked
horns with him. poohpoohed him to
his face. called him names Of peculiar
virulence and offered to fight him or
any terms.
Before long the camp was in an up
roar. and it was due to certain cooler
heads that trouble did not ensue i'm
mediately. These men insisted that
there was time to settle the dispute of
ownership. forced WilkerSon to with
draw his command that Kane leave
the mine instantly and managed 10
bring a sembance of peace out of dis
order Kane bowed his neck to the
yoke of their authority. but dispatched
Il trusty messenger to the station with
Il telegram 10 John 70 come MS soon as
possible. Wilkersou reSorted TO >
scene which was eventually TO threat
en- the very existence Of the Master
Key" He sent Drake south to confer
with desperate whom lie knew, whC
could gather band of Mexicans like
himself on short notice, READY for any
thing that promised loot
Tell jose to be here tomorrow
night" lie instructed him. III want
about twenty men well armed.
Drake rode away as from destrue.
tion. cursinS the luck that had pat
him in the power of such Il man.
In response TO kIne'S message John
Dorr. Ruth Gallon and Everett left
Beverly Hills Tor Silent Valley. They
arrived the third day after tie cook
and from the moment they were recOg
niZcd the miners dropped their atti
tude of suIky waiting aud thronged
about their mistress. cheering and
shaking hands. When they had goi
into the big house Kane arrived. apron
and all. TO report on the situation,
Its come To a showdown" he re
marked. "WilkerSGn has several OF
the worthless fellows here and Il LOT
Of half breeds back in the hills He
knows have that money of yours. and
/ he's promised it 10 the MeXicans II
they help him. You see. Wikerson
will keep his skirts clear that way
He can say that it was Il raid by
bandits
How soon does all this happen?
( 1rawled John.
Kane glanced at him curiOusly. He
understood that warning not to fright
ell Ruth and went on airily. "Oh.
reckon just as sooR as Wilkerson gets
Tubbs weaned from that bottle of his. -
Rut whom Ruth had .snnp tu bpF own