The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1919-07-09
CHAPTER x.
a Bold Game.

~ oOtO NoiiOs
"YOu will know, Josefa, if there is
anything missing from the masters
room?'
"Si, senior. l know each little
thing. There has been no change for
many years.
The small, wrinkled, almost black
face of the little old Indian woman
looked up curiously into Stanway's.
"Then come. Let us hurry"
He led the way. They went through
the drawing room, where one of the
house servants was lighting the can
dies, where Tore was pacing back
and forth, his restlessness showing
for the first time.
Teresa de la Guerra's scream had
sounded through the house early that
morning-at three O'Clock. The long
day had dragged, and now it was
growing dark.
Still Tore and Juarez were prison
ers; still DemptOn fretted and fumed
and sulked in the great library.
Tore looked up quickly, his eyes
eager. expectant. Stairway glanced
at him, giving no satisfaction in the
swift turning of his eyes. Tore
frOwned and bit at his lip. Juarez
looked to his leader with both Ques-
ton and criticism in his gaze.
JOsefa followed the rancher, and
they passed on through the drawing
roomP The door closed behind them
'NOw, Josefa."
Stairway threw open the door of
the Senior de la Guerras bedroom.
Josefa, lifting very white handker-
chief to her very black eyes, crossed
herself and stepped over the thresh-
old.
Look, Josefal Is there anything
missing?"
He had the key in his pocket; she
had not seen it. He looked at her in
moment tense with expectant wait
ing, not sure why he was so eager
for the word she should say. Josefa's
eyes, showing again as she folded and
smoothed her handkerchief, roved
about the room.
She shook her head slowly, and still
her eyes went upon their quest.
There is nothing missing" she
said, speaking thoughtfully. "Every-
thing"
She broke off suddenly, her old fig.
ure growing rigid, her eyes brighten
ing. Then she ran across the room
to a far corner which was a bit in
shadow as Stairway held his candle
| above his head.
at is gone!' she cried, amazement
in her voice. "See where it has been
for twenty years-for more than
twenty years! And it is gOnew
"What, Josefa?" Stairway hurried
to his side. what is it that is gomez
'The key!" she whispered, > her
voice suddenly dropping. "See where
it hung against the wall. See where
it hung so long that it left its own
shape like a picture. But who could
! have taken it?'
Stairway, peering above the ole
woman's head, the candle held close
to the wall, saw, dimly enough bu1
! plainly, the mark which the key
hanging from little peg, had left.
"What key was it?" he asked sharp
ly.
'"The masters. He would allow NJ
! one to touch it. He had it kept there
always, where he could see it in the
morning, at night when he went tt
bed. And it is Soner'
''But," cried Stairway impatiently
his hand upon her arm, "what was i
for? What did it open?"
JOsefa looked at him with wid'
eyes. "But the master would be an
CRY, if he knew. He has had it Their,
for twenty years-much longer,
think"
''But, Josefa," Stairway hurried on
"can't you think what door it opens
Can't you guess? / must know, 10
sefa. Think. Is it some room in tn
house here?"
"No, no, senior! Not here" josef
shook her head. 81 should know
then. I think, senior, it must be tn
key to some room in his believes
Spain. 1t is for no room upon tn
rancho. OF that am sure, senor."
"What is this, Josefa? 7
Suddenly he had drawn the great
heavy key from his pocket holding
before her eyes. She stared at il
then with little cry put cut he
shaking hands for it.
''That is it,, gracias a Diosr' sh
muttered. "We shall put it back S
that the master viii not be angr
when he returns. Quick, senior LIE
us put it back. Maybe it's being gon
brought the bad luck. Maybe whe
it is on the wall once more good luc
VIII come back to the rancho"
II was not until he had again hun
the. key upon the peg that Stanwa