Evening journal., 1915-02-04


he thrust It 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 inclosure that John discovered
that the last portion was missing, the
part that told Of the figures on the
key. Together they sought II in vain.
We'll" said Ruth cheerfuily, "at
least I have the key and now we know
what those figures stand for"
ayes" he assented, "the latitude and
longitude where the wreck sank. But
I don't like the disappearance OF that
last part. II was rank carelessness Of
me- What If It should fall into VIII
kersons hands?"
Ruth laughed. dangling the key by
it's ribbon we have the master
keyw
YES" John replied more cheerfully.
"TIe won't know where the place is.
anyway. But we must arrange 70 find
that wreck and get the chest"
"But II the ship sank?' she said.
Lots of people win remember the
wreck" was tho response. And with
this accurate position Of where It went
down diver will be able TO recover
J 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-
ins hands and Kane on the job here
all will he safe" John said finally.
But Wilkerson, with the torn scrap Of
paper i'm his hand, was planning swift
" and certainly. With Nigas he laid
a scheme for that night When the
details were settled the bandit smiled
cFookedly. 9TH get the key myself. %
he remarked. ut will be n pleasure
"No roughuess.' warned Wilkerson
with a lady?" demanded Vigas silk
ily. "Nevcrw
"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 4
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 howinl
, scarf.
Wilkerson contemplated him mOOdi
ly. You'd better wear a jumper an,
overalls," he snarled ANY one car
I spot you mile in that dandifie,
I dress"
vigas kissed dirty hand to th
. stars. "ln honor of the lady" he said
1 with bravado. Never shall It be SAT-
r tina lose Nigas was ignorant Of tn
e niceties OF demeanor. senor"
= Finding his protests useless. Wilkei
e son subsidized vigas departed. appal
emily for stroll through the silen
e camp. He oven stopped for cha
d with n watchful trooper, who readil
d believed his casual statement that h
'e was going on lovers expedition.
n was just midnight when Viga
X stood over the bed on which Ruth Ia
'. asleep. For n long moment he stoo
s there In his gaudy fnery watching hel
+. He seemed almost on the point of wax
y ening her In order TO satisfy his over
y woening vanity. But the clank Of
bride chain outside warned him tina
5. he stood i'm great peril. With swif
fingers he touched the ribbon. ben
e. over and gently drcw out the key. II
A. cut the ribbon with one slip of hi
= knife and looked at his booty. Bu
the girls immovable and lovely fac
:. drew his cycs again TO her. With
sweep OF his arm he lifted his heav
. hat TO her and passed out. silent as
: cat Of his native mountains.
With the key in his possession Wi
kerson became suddenly his own ner'
:. GUS self He must get away instan
ly. he knew Kane would be back
e the morning with warrant. Alread
he was being watched 10y the susp
= cious troopers. He must escape tn
+, very night.
After n short conversation with V
= gas and the appointment of a futul
u rendezvous, Harry Wilkerson arme
himself and started lazily down int
-. the camp 10 see what was movin
Nothing stirred. He returned to q
hill camp and thence swiftly an
quietly made his way upward, takir
= advantage of every bush and 70,
- that might afford him screen.
"a He was almost TO the top when
s sentry challenged him and stepped Il
ward.
ID "Tm merely goin' out a little wa
n: for a walk" Wnkerson explained.
IS "Not allowed after nightfall' W
er he response.
without further parley, Wilkers
H. leaped forward, grasped the mans ri
$. and tripped him. A moment later
"a was footing II up 10 the crest at
$ speed. with the sentry's cries for HI
urging him on
Before he could reach the divide
g. bullet whizzed 10y his head, then
,y other. He turned madly and fired r.
CT idly down into the shadows at his p
To- suers. He cursed himself for his
Of ly when a second sentry appear
ar, an above him. drawn by the flash of
sss shots TO his hiding place. There v