The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1915-02-05
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Rival Wreckina Crews.

. ] ne hIVdI Wrecklfq CTe"S.
- nor some moments Dorr stared
T at this message from the
Fsssszs dead. True, it was address
SsszEssy ed to Ruth, but its MESA &C
was to him, John Dorr Now. he
knew something of the tremendous
stake for which WilllerSon was play
ing. So deep i'll thought was he that
/ he did not notice that he was being
spied upon. He must see Ruth and tell
her He slipped the letter into his
pocket, not observing that the torn por-
ton dropped to the table.
AS he hurried out. fat with his news,
Mexican stole into the room and.
after Il keen glance around. picked up
the bit of paper. He had seen the tri
umphant expression on DORIS face.
That writing must be valuable. He
tried to deciphcr it, but failed. So
he thrust it into his shirt and stole
away.
Half an hour later the last few lines
of that letter were i'll Harry Wilker-
sons hands
1t was not until ne 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 it i'll vain
Well said Ruth cheerfully. al
Ia0Sf I hOy-a ho I-C- nd L..
what those figures stand. for.
yes" he assented. the latitude and
longitude where the wreck sank. But
l don't like the disappearance Of that
last part. 1t was rank carelessncSs Of
me. What if it should fall into VII
kerson's hands,"
Ruth laughed, dangling the key ny
its ribbon. We have the master
key
Yes" John replied more cheerfuliy.
HE won't know where the place is
anyway. But we must arrange TO find
that wreck and get the chest"
But if the ship sank" she said.
Lots of people will remember the
wreck" was the response. "And with
this accurate position of where it went
down diver will be able to recover
what we want"
They discussed this for some time
ana decided that as soon rs Kane re-
turned with the warrant for Wilker-
son they would start out for San Pc
drO and proceed to locate the Sunkcn
vessel and find if possible the chest
and its precious Contents.
with WilkersOn safely in the shar-
ifs hands and Kane on the job here
all will be safe," John said finally.
But Wilkerson, with the torn scrap OF
paper in his hand, was planning swift
ly and certainly. With Vigas he laid
scheme for that night. When the
details were settled the bandit smiled
croOkedly. III get the key myself"
he remarked. 1T will be pleasure"
NO roughness," warned Wilkerson.
With lady?" demanded Vigas silk
lily. Never"
"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
ball. so fanciful his dress. so careful
his whole get-up. When he had COM
pleted his arrangements he presented
striking and gaudy figure. with sill
yer banded sOmbrerO. heavy studded
belt, embroidered shirt and flowing
scarf.
WilkersOn contemplated him mOOdi-
ly. You'd better wear a jumper and
Overalls," be snarled Amy one can
spot you a mile in that danditied
Dress
FigaS kissed a dirty hand to the
stars. 'In honor of the lady" he said
with bravad0. Never shall it be said
tina Jose Vigas was ignorant of the
niceties of demeanor, senior"
Finding his protests useless. WiIker-
son subsidized. Vigas departed. appar-
emily for a stroll through the silent
camp. He even stopped for chat
with watchful trooper. who readily
believed his casual statement that he
was going on lovers expedition.
1t was just midnight when Nigas |
stood over the bed on which Ruth lay /
asleep. Fer Il long moment he stood /
there in his gaudy iinery watching her. !
He seemed almost on the point of wax /
ening her III order TO satisfy his over /
vanity. But the clank of /
bride chain outside warned him that !
be stood in great peril. With swift