Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-02-17
THE MASTER KEY
ny JOHN FLEMING WILSON

HeI mhlu. Anu Vi all tue dWAui lhAhSS
its wonder you haven't got her
killed before now"
John tried to explain that Ruth was
western girl used TO looking after
herself and that she had insisted on
coming along.
The consul's wife shifted.
But you didn't have to come" she
responded promptly. Il understand
that you are merely going on idle gos-
sip anyway. You shan't stir the girl
out of my sight. / tell you! Go and
find your plans and risk your own life.
Miss Gallon stays here"
And I'm sure there is no place Ia
rather leave her," Dorr said gratefully.
To the consul he conflded briefly
that he was still determined to find
The idol and get the hidden plans.
You may be too late" was the quiet
response. "A man named Wilkerson
and another man and lady have al.
ready gone up country, and | am in
formed that they are on the same
quest"
"AlI the more reason why I should
hasten" Dorr answered. Every hour
may be precious. ! must see Sir Don
aid Immediately"
To his surprise, Faversham was very
cold about the second excursion.
so long as 1t was case OF getting
Miss Gallon and yourself out of a bad
scrape. l did my BEST" he told Dorr.
But l agree with your CONSULAR
excellent fellow-that what you pro-
pose is ridiculous. The priests have
ample warning. and am informed
that they took measures to secrete the
idol. You can gain nothing by further
search"
John argued with some temper, but
Sir Donald was immovable.
And, as he most evidently had sound
common sense on his side. Dorr could
not afford to lose his temper.
Il suppose you'll help me out by
letting me have that old servant Of
yours?" he said finally.
Anything" said Faversham cor
daily. But / must certainly warn
you once more that shall feel guilty
in even letting you 60"
Johns jaw sti6fened.
Il guess it would be beyond your
power to stop me-
Faversham shook his head.
"A word from me to the authorities
"a you would find yourself not only
de6arred from such a foolhardy expe-
dition. but politely yet firmly made to
leave the country"
John grinned.
II suppose that's right" he agreed.
But you won't be spoil sport, will
you?"
The baronet shook his head
mo. | won't. But can't 80 myself
I'll stop here and have an eye out for
Miss Gallon. Then If rescue expedi.
tion Is I'm order | can be here to
head it"
For the moment John was blinded by
blaze of jealousy.
While he was rlsking his life for
Ruth's sake Faversham would sit com.
fortably within the protection of his
club and plot ways of winning Ruth.
He curtly accepted the offer OF the
servant and went of to make his prep
arations. These made. he sought Ruth.
he found her in a strange state of
excitement. Evidently the consul and
his wife had not spared pains to i'm.
press upon her the dangers Of the pro-
posed expedition.
They're old grannieS," was Johns
disrespectful comment. ruth, you
know that without those plans we're
helpless to make The Master Key into
what your father wanted it to be.
set out to get those plans, and I've not
come this far to turn back"
Il know" she said miserably. But
everybody says it is all foolishness
Sir Donald
"Oh, that gutter" he interrupted.
al know he prefers sitting around max
ing love to you to doing something
really worth while"
There was the gimmer of a smile on
Ruth's lips as she answered meekly,
Then you don't think that-Sitting
around-and making love to me-is-
worth while?"
For a moment John stood and stared
at her. The blood rushed into his face
Then the full meaning Of her light
evasion or his real meaning struck him
like blow between the eyes.
His heart was filled with love for
her. love that had grown and increas.
ed since the hour when he had first
seen her at old Tom Gallons door.
He had thought that his devoted serv-
fee to her interests, his constant atten-
tion TO the slightest detail that could
insure her future happiness. would
have published that love to her.
He was minded to tell her now. to
forego all else in order to WOO her for
himself.
Ruth he began. But some sub
tie change in her manner froze the not
Sords on his lips.
SWELL he went on. controlling him.
self by tremendous effort and trying
to speak lightly. 'Ill be off. Thank
heaven you'll be safe here"
There was struggle in Ruth's breast
too. Yet the memory of her promise
TO Faversham stllled her.
In that long and terrible moment she
realized that John DOrT was all IN nj
to her. Yet she was bound to anothe
who had riSked his life ON the strength