The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-12-19

lie SnlVereu, ana, talNp M
candle, went his wy -aougl
the drawing roons word tt
Tore, with no CLAM n, for HI
feared that now he aot let hi
eyes go to the hi evil face
and keep his hand\ and at las
to Pedro's bedside. " n
Pedro, waiting for him impatiently
tried to lift himself upon an elbow
and failing in that turned his bright
black eyes upon the American.
'sWhat did she say, Josefa?" he
asked quickly. at is the masters
| key?"
Eyes, Pedro.r answered Stairway
dispiritedly. "But what is the usei
She does not know what door il
opens"
but knowl" said Pedro brightly
'sYou know!" Stairway hid 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 go to school.
In the home there builded of stones
like an old castle, senior, 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
it to the padre from La Panza. When
he came sway he brought the key to
that prison room with him. That is
the key you have, senorr'
Stairway looked at the man with
cited over the key; look of great
shrewdness was in his eyes, and the
key unlocked door in Spaini If he
was becoming delirious-
81 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 go to the mas
ter's room to see If he wishes any
thing, to take any commands for the
next day. 1 went last night after it
was late, just before l went to the
senorita's door. 1t was habit, senior.
[ could not have gone to sleep unless
I went there"
"WellY' sharply.
II heard a little sound. 1t was the
of window shade. ]
went, closed the window, and locked
It tightly. And while looking for the
sound / saw the key in its place. 1t
was there at eleven o'clock last night,
senor."
'You are sure, Pedro? You e-e
rery certain that this key was in the
masters room at eleven o'clock?"
every certain, senior"
"Then- But it is impossible, Pc |
irol You say that you locked the
windows? All of them?"
"All, senor."
Sand the door as you came out?"
II locked, senior. The key was I'M
Ter my bed. I gave it to you just
low. And there IS only one key upon
he rancbo-only one in the world
which will unlock it,,
"But then 1t is impossible"
Stairway, restless, upon his feet,
trode back and forth, frowning. If
he key had been there last night, If
DOR and windows had been locked,
{ they had been locked when he went
0 the room-then how could one of
he men who attacked Pedro have
ad it in his hand at three O'Clock
4 the morning?
"You mean,' he said slowly, COM
IL back to the bedside, shat the at
ack upon you and CeIestino was
lade by men who are among the
ouse servants or the De la Guerra |
"No, senor." There was no hesi-
ltion-the voice was confident. "The
en wore handkerchiefs about their
ices, but / know that they were not
: our men. They were strangers to
e."
But" cried Stairway, "how could
lch thing be? How could they ,
ave gotten into the masters room?
hen how could they have gotten to
e senorita's rom without some. one ]
our men seeing them? And why {
lould they have brought the key?" i
"The key is heavy, good to strike r
lrd blow replied Pedro. IF a
an had lost his knife and needed
eapon he might take it. No, senor.~ s
"But how"
Stairway broke off, his eyes ran t
~, padrosc ia no r., cxxroor, fho room, q | 4