Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-09
The Golden Key.

A. l2 o'clock the next day the train
came pulling into the town. and Ed
got on hoard. He walked through the
cars until he found 4 seat by the win
dow. AS he would have a ride of about
week. he male himself comfortable.
On Il seat in front of him he saw
man with Il dark mustache and 4 dark,
evil-looking face. The man was eye
ing I'D curiously, and when Ed would
look that way the man would get
very busy.
Il don't like the looks of that man.
Every time | look that way the man
reminds me of crook" Just then
the door of the car opened and sec
ond man entered. He had cruel, ugly
back in n cruel smile. lie went over
and sat down by the man Ed had been
watching and opened Il conversation
would look over at Ed and then say
something to his companion. Ed did
not like the looks OF things At all.
cali To- dinner" sang out the porter
jus t,hen. Ed got up and went into
the dining car. The two men who sat
just Then. Ed got up and went into
the door, so he could watch the TWO
men The men sat down ut table
in the center of the car. facing 20.
When the porter came around for his
order Ed asked him the names of the
dem men. De give me hve,dois lar
men are Marse Rolten and Marse
Davis which one is Bolten?" asked
Ed, DE one with the hiaGk mus, mus
tache is MarsI Rolten. MI right
here's Il dollar for the INFORMATION;
Now bring me some dinner Ed had
learned tho names OF the men; now
with him. He was sure they we're
after him, because they had looked At
him and talked about him. Presently
the porter brought him a good dinner
and Ed paid him. After dinner Ed
went back 10 his scat in the other
car. He bought book from the train
boy and read until night when me
berth. Ed was tired and it did not
take him long TO go to sleep. 1t was
about II o'clock when Ed awoke: He
felt "A hand going under his pillow.
Ed grabbed his pistol and said, Who
is there?" There was no answer, but
tho hand did not move away. Ed
With ali his force. Thcre-~as a muilled
cry OF pain. and the hand was drawn
away. Ed put UP his pistol and felt to
him was still safe under the pillow.
1t was still there. THAT was close
shave" said Ed. II had the key in
was thai tried to take II But can
find out in the morning, because l
know the man has broken hand where
| hit him"
The next morning when Ed went
in to breakfast he saw that Bolten's
hand was bandased up. Ed tried not
TO notice it. but when he would look
up Bolten would send sour glances in
his direction. When four days were up
Ed arrived in New York. He got OF
the train and inquired the way TO the
nearest hotel. He was told TO go to
the Continental Hotel, where the rates
were not very high. He found II and
got n room on the second floor in tho
back of the hotel. y fire escape went
right by his window. When he ar
rived in New York it was night, so
he went right TO bed. lie slept like
top that night, and when he awokc the
next day he got IN and dressed right
away. He felt 10 If the key WAS
safe in his pocket. II was gone! I'D
felt like crying when he found the key
was gone. He had come ali the way
TO New York with the key and when
he got there il was stolen. He hap
pened to glance down on the floor and
saw n letter. lie picked il up and saw
il was addressed TO Mr.. Sam Bolten.
Ed opened it and read the following:
mfr. Sam Boltcn.-If you succeed in
getting the key from I'D willard bring
It TO me. ! will he at Dcnton's place on
the Bowcry. Meet me there NJ O'Clock
tomorrow. POWERS
The letter was dated on the 9Th and
Ed found it on the 18th. SO Bolten would
meet Powers at o'clock today. Boil
ten must have dropped the letter when
he stole the KEY said Ed. But I will
try to get the key back"
Next chapter. ED Receivers the
Key"
Written by FRANK PUGH.