Gilpin observer., 1919-09-18
CHAPTER x-centInued.
COPYRIGHT

1t seemed to him that suddenly 1t
cad grown cold there in De la Guer-
ra's bedroom.
He shivered, and. taking up his
candle, went his way back through
the drawing room, with no word to
Tore. with no glance even, for he
feared that now he could not let his
eyes go to the handsome, evil face
and keep his hand back, and at last
to Pedro's bedside.
Pedro. waiting for him impatiently,
tried to lift himself upon an elbow,
and failing in that turned his bright
black eyes upon the American.
what did she say. Josefa2" he
asked quickly. ut is the masters
key2"
Eyes, Pedro" answered Stairway
dispiritedly. But what is the usei
She does not know what door it
opens"
But I knowl" said Pedro brightly.
'You knowi" Stairway laid his
hand ON the wounded mans arm.
''Tell me. Quickl"
"When the master was young he
lived in Spain, where the old master,
his father, sent him to go to school.
In the home there, builded Of stones
like an old castle, senor, was a room
where many times he was locked up
by his tutor because he was wild and
did not fall in love with his books.
have heard him laugh and tell about
1t to the padre from La Panza. When
he came away he brought the key to
that prison room with him. That is
the key you have, senorl"
Stairway looked at the man with
swift suspicion. Pedro seemed ex-
cited over the key; look Of great
shrewdness was in his eyes. and the
key unlocked door in Spaini II he
was becoming delirious-
IT am not in a fever. senor," said
Pedro quickly. seeing the thought in
the Americans eyes. "'But that key
tells me something. Every night be-
fore going to my bed 60 to the mas
ter's room to see II he wishes any
thing, to take any commands for the
next day. I went last night after 1t
senorita's door. It was habit, senor.
could not have gone to sleep unless
I went there"
''Wellr sharply.
II heard a little sound. It was the
scratching Of a window shade. /
went, closed the window. and locked
1t tightly. And while looking for the
sound saw the key in its place. It
was there at eleven o'clock last night,
senor."
"You are sure, Pedro1 You are
very certain that this key was in the
masters room at eleven o'clock"
Every certain, senior"
"Then- But 1t is impossible, Pc
drol You say that you locked the
windows7 All Of them7"
"All, senor."
"And the door as you came outr'
NJ locked. senor. The key was un-
der my bed. I gave 1t to you just
now. And there is only one key upon
the rancho-only one in the world
which will unlock It'll"
"But then 1t Is impossible
Stanway, restless, upon his feet.
strobe back and forth. fr0wning. II
the key had been there last night. II
door and windows had been locked.
II they had been locked when he went
to the room-then how could one Of
the men who attacked Pedro have
had 1t in his hand at three O'Clock
In the morning?
"You mean," he said slowly. COM
Ing back to the bedside. "that the at
tack upon you and Celestino was
made by men who are among the
house servants or the De Ia Guerra
vaqueros1'
mo, senor." There was no hesi-
tation-the voice was confident. "The
men wore handkerchiefs about their
faces. but I know that they were not
of our men. They were strangers to
me-"
"But," cried Stanway. ''how could
such q thing bei How could they
have gotten into the masters room7
Then how could they have gotten to
the senorita's room without some one
Of our men seeing themf And why
should they have brought the keyr
'The key IL heavy. good to strike q
hard blow" replied Pedro. IL q
man had lost his knife and needed q
weapon he might take It. No. senor."
"But how"
Stairway broke of, his eyes ran
from Pedro's face to sweep the room, .
sudden light came into them, and the
blood ran into his face.
my God" he cried, II see itw
"You are wiser than I. senor." Pc
dro smiled contentedly and closed his
eyes, looking very pale and weak.
You will let me have news when
there is anything, senior? I could get
well quickly with good news"
Sianwny promised, took Pedro's
! nd quickly. turned and hurried out