The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-04-30

"You'Ve got to do the trick"
the stake was too great to risk, and she
bitterly consented to Wilkerson's has
tily outlined plan of hiding Ruth away
somewhere in Sing Wah's precincts un.
til they could once more get their plans
into working order.
Before she would leave the place
she must indeed see Sing Wah himself.
''Will the girl be safe hereY" she de
manded.
The Chinese looked at her flushed
and passionate beauty in silence until
she repeated her question. Then he
said quietly and in his own exquisite
ly modulated English: You need have
little fear. The servants are honest
and discreet. And"-he let his eyes
meet hers fully-''I think it is possible
that she is safer now than she has
been for some time. Good night, mad
am"
While Wilkerson and Mrs. Darnell
had been hurriedly arranging matters
with Sing Wah. Drake had gone In
search of lodgings nearby. He found
them in what had once been a noted
hotel, which had fallen into sad decay
1t was In the faded rooms he engaged
here that the three met to consult on
the future.
1.-THE first thing to do is to get hold
of those deeds and papers she has in
her grip" said Wilkerson. II wonder
you didn't think to get them before,
Jean"
The woman's eyes lit with dull
hatred, but she made no answer. She
watched him fuss with the locks of the
hand satchel which she had Indicated
as the one in which Ruth carried her
valuables When it opened and vii.
kerson thrust his clutching fingers
downward into 1t Mrs Darnell leaned
forward as If in protest He paid no
attention to her, but continued his
search with ever increasing haste. At
last he Strengthened up with an oath
so Venomous and deadly that even
Drake shrank back.
"The deeds aren't here" Wilkerson
said thickly. "She's hidden themw
But where?"
This question seemed to break VIII.
kersons almost steely intensity of pur-
pose. The question put his whole prob
lem before him in two words-but
where? He shifted his eyes from the
emptied satchel to the curtained win
dow. Instantly there leaped before
him the picture of the truck turning
slowly over in the gulch, of the huge
blllow OF smoke, of the little lances of
fire that charged through the dry IN
as If to preserve to the
flames their prey. Was it for this that
he was murderer? The curtain blew
inward before some vagrant wind from
the bay. and Wilkerson drew back in
terror.
What is it, Harry?" demanded Mrs
Darnell, instantly taking alarm.
Nothing" he said sulenly. II was
just thinking of something" He turn
ed on Drake. you've got to do the
trick" he went on.
"How's that2" demanded the young
er man.
Wilkerson eagerly formulated his
his plan, ticking off the points on the
tips of his quivering fingers
First you're Everett. turned up at
last. You find her.
I'm Chinatown" sneered Drake.
"You can easily gain her confidence
aud get hold OF the papers, and may,
be-
Drake laughed uglily. ~ look like
the kind of joker who would dress IN
as banker and then proceed to renew
my clients acquaintance in a Chinese
Joint. How am | supposed to know
she's there? tell you. Wilkerson, that
you can't travel straight, even when II
pays you. Why In Gods name YOU
ever took that girl to that place of
Sing Wah's is beyond my comprehen
sion. Any place would have been bet
Ter. Now you have put the heads of
Ill OF us In a moose. You know what
people will say when
They'll say nothing" said Wilker
'on furiously, and he proceeded once
more to argue that Drake could easily
continue to impersonate Everett and
n that guise carry their scheme to its
conclusion. In spite of his
'agerness and sophistry he was unable
o move either Drake or Mrs. DarneU
rom their attitude of frightened con,
empt. At last Drake agreed to do his
'est to make Ruth trust him.
"But don't like this impersonation
BUSINESS" he said firmly. 81 might go
o a hotel and hand in my brokers'
ard and ask for an interview. but l
laven't lost my senses"
WELL" growled Wllkerson. lust see
o IT that you worm out of her where
hose papers are"