The Ordway new era., 1919-09-05
CHAP Err x-continued.
COPYRIGHT

II seeemed 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 falling In that turned his bright
black eyes upon the American.
what did she say. JosefaT he
asked quickly. 'Tt is the masters
key7"
Eyes, Pedro" answered Stairway
dIspIritedly. 'But what is the use7
She does not know what door 1t
opens"
'But know I" said Pedro brightly.
''You knowl" Stairway laid his
hand on the wounded mans arm.
"Tell me. Quick!'
when the master was young he
lived In Spain, where the old master.
his father. sent him to 60 to school.
In the home there, builded of stones
like an old castle, senor. was 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, senor"
Stanway looked at the man with
swift suspicion. Pedro seemed eI-
cited over the key; a look Of great
shrewdness was in his eyes, and the
key unlocked n door In Spainl II he
was becoming delirious-
'T am not in 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 go to the mas
ter's room to see II he wishes any
thing. to take any commands for the
next day. went last night after 1t
was late. Just before I went to the
senorita's door. 1t was habit, senor.
1 could not have gone to sleep unless
I went there"
"Wellr sharply.
81 heard a little sound. 1t was the
scratching of window shade. ]
went, closed the window. and locked
1t tightly. And while looking for the
sound 1 saw the key in its place. 1t
was there at eleven o'clock last night
senor."
"You are sure, Pedro7 You are
very certain that this key was In the
masters room at eleven o'clock?"
"Very certain, senor."
'sThen- But 1t is impossible. Pc
dro! You say that you locked the
windows7 All of them?"
"All. senor."
"And the door as you came outr
81 locked, senior. The key was un
der my bed. / gave 1t to you JUS
now. And there is only one key upor
the rancho-only one in the worlt
which will unlock Il"
"But then 1t Is impossible
Stanway. restless, upon his feet
strobe back and forth, frownlng. 1
the key had been there last night, l
II they had been locked when he wen
to the room-then how could one o
the men who attacked Pedro hav
had it in his hand at three o'cloc
In the morning7
"You mean," he said slowly, CON
Ing back to the bedside, "that the al
tack upon you and Celestino wa
made by men who are among tn
house servants or the De la Guerr
vaqueros?"
mo. senor." There was no hes
tation-the voice was confident. 9TH
men wore handkerchiefs about thel
faces, but I know that they were nc
of our men. They were strangers
me-"
But cried Stairway, "how coul
such a thing be? How could the
have gotten Into the masters room
Then how could they have gotten
the sencrita's room without some or
Of our men seeing them? And WI
should they have brought the key
"The key ls heavy, good to strike
hard blow" replied Pedro. "h
man had lost his knife and needed
weapon he might take 1t. No. senior
But how"
Stairway broke of, his eyes RI
from Pedro's face to sweep the room,
sudden light came into them, and Il
blood ran into his face.
"My God" he cried, II see itI'
"You are wiser than I. senor."
dro smiled contentedly and closed h
eyes, looking very pale and wea
You will let me have news whit
here is anything, senior? 1 could g
we'll quickly with good news"
Siamwny promised, took Pedro
t;,ri 1ufci,ry. turned and hurried o