Gilpin observer., 1919-09-11

Here knife had bit deep and had
cost Pedro much blood, but by for.
tune and fraction of an inch no
vital point had been reached.
Celestino, as white and more weak
than Pedro, lay very still, not having
once regained consciousness. He
might live, for Celestino had won
derful store of health and vitality in
that great frame Of his. The doctor
would come again, tonight or early
tomorrow.
"Pedro." asked Stairway, with a
quick glance at the other bed and
then coming to Pedro's side, show are
things with your"
"Not so bad, senor," Pedro an
swered family. ''The senorita?"
eve have not found her yet" STAN
way admitted regretfully. ''But we
shall find her soon, Pedro. Did you
see the men who attacked you? Do
you know where they came from
We had sentinels out all night. They
swore that no men came from across
the border"
Pedro shook his head.
II was asleep, senor. Then I heard
Celestino call out. / thought he was
dreaming. I sat up, half asleep, you
know, senior. Then 1 saw. There
were three men, I think. Perhaps
four. I don't know. One struck poor
Celestino as he sat up, and another
sprang at him. But then they were
upon me too, and 1 heard the seno-
rita cry out, and they struck me over
the head and put a knife into me
here"
"And then they rushed into the Sc
norita's room?"
ut is so hard to know what hap
pened, senior. / don't think that they
went into the senorita's room. When
I woke my eyes went first to her door.
1t is always the first thing which
see when ! wake. 1t was closed.
II think that 1t was locked. I tell
tino was being struck, before they
made everything go black for me.
There were other men in there.
II suppose they came through the
balcony. But these men-where did
they go? How did they come imp
His voice sank to trembling whis-
per. "SenOr, can it be that some of
the servants are traitors? That they
haye let these men in and let them
go"
"That is what I have been think
ing all day, Pedro. But you mustn't
talk too much this time. I'll come
to see you again."
"Wait a minute, senor. There is
one other thing"
Stairway came back swiftly.
"What is it?" he demanded sharply
seeing light in Pedros eyes which
had not been in them before.
ut is something which found. II
fell from the hand of one of the men
when Celestino struck back at him
had them bring 1t to me here.
have not talked about 1t; 1 have
waited for you"
His hand was fumbling under his
blanket, and he brought key. very
heavy and old, made rudely of iron
and, like the old keys of the mission
days, some eight inches long.
II am not sure" Pedro whispered
his eyes feverishly bright. you car
tell. Call for Josefa. She cares fol
the senor's rooms. Have her go there
with you. Let her see If anything IL
missing. She will know; she has
cared for his rooms for twenty years
VIII you let me know. senior? Her,
is the key"
| A sudden hope leaped up into Stan
ways heart as his hand closed abou
the old key, hope which In no wa,
could he explain. II this were tn,
key which unlocked the place wher'
the old master-yes. and the youn,
mistress = had been hidden. wha
then7 He was as far as ever from
knowing where was the lock whicl
this key fitted. And yet Pedro'
words-Josefa-
"Tll let you know, Pedrow h
called back from the door. And h,
was gone. walking swiftly through
the house, asking for the old servinl
woman.