PAGE SIXTEEN. THE MASTER KEY CHAPTER XVIL The Forged Deeds. HEN the traln polled Into Loe Angeles the pext moroiug Johu Dorr's party got oft 7 and Jotun left Ruth with Tos Kane while he went to enguge su automobile to mke them to Beverly Hills, a suburb recommended by Ever eft as quiet and restorative for shat tered nerves, : As they stood there Wilkerson, Mrs Darnell and Estelle also got off the train, still disguised, nnd were hurry. ing away when Wilkerson observed Ruth and called' Jean's attention fo ber. 2 For an instant she was nonplused. Then sbe said in a low tone: "So mach the better, We cun keep an eye opt on them," "1 must find out where they are go Ing to," Wilkerson returned. "1 don't like the looks of it." He soon came back with word that they had ordered the car to take them to Beverly Hills, After e inquiry Wilkerson found the addreds of a hotel that se¢med tc answer thelr requirements, and they Were soon on their way thither in a task . Within an hour the deft Estelle bad Installed herself and ber mistress in a comfortable snit. Wilkerson took a room near by. Then came the ques tion of thelr disguises. "There Is no peed of wearing them any longer," Wilkerson stated. "It need be we ¢sn put them on again." Mrs. Darnell laughed scornfully, "Yes, and all the hotel people saw us come In with our disguises on. What will' they think If they see entirely different people occupying these rooms?" / Wilkerson bad already started to re move his wakeup. Now he paused But bis reckless nature got the better She Smiled Maliciously. "Forgery!" of bin, and he laughed at her fears 80 they both were soun their real selves und sat down to a hearty break fast in Mrs. Durvell's rooms. This ended, Jean took out the papers and spent an hour guing over them carefully. Wilkerson smoked nervous ly, but did not interrupt her, When she Wid the documents down he saw 8 queer glitter in her tawny eyes. "So It bas come to the old game, eh? she said tn a low vole. "1 thought you had had enough of that." "Enough of what¥' he demanded quickly. : She smiled maliciously. She formed the org slowly and precisely: "For - His dark face grew pallid. and his "eyes Dashed ominously. "1 did it for you that time--and no thanks! But this 1s all right. 'Those deeds are gen- wine." "They merely assure the property to Thomas Gallon and his heirs and as- signs. When you found Tow Gallon at last and had him ready to do any- thing you wanted just as the price of Your silence | suppose it didn't occur 10 you to have bim deed over the 'Mas ter Key' mine to you, did it?" "He wouldn't have done it!" he burst out furiousiy. He shot me once. He would Rave shot me again to save the mive for the girl." "Theu what good are these papers?" _ Gradually he perceived the drift of her speech. He looked at her for a moment dumbly, as If for instruction. | But she was ruthless. He must pro- pose the crime himself, She handed him the papers, : ~ He stared at them and then glanced fcross at Jean. She was waiting. '€ursed her under his breath. She had always been waiting--waiting for him to break the law, to suffer that she might have comforts and jewels and | keep unimpaired that beauty that bad been Lis downfall. But the spell work- 5 ey have to go out and buy some blank deeds," he said laboriously. "1 iy have to look UP Some other potnts. 100, about these pnpers. *Tiiose are called spats, Tom," sald Joan, smiling. "That is a monocie," "Does be see through it? inquired Kane, with apparent anxiety. "I reck- aned he wus near sighted, for 1 spoke to him a while ago and he didn't even tace me.' Oddly enough, Ruth blushed at this Sir Donald had seen ber, and she hac | been made aware of iL instantly; not that Sir Donald bad been in the slight est offensive. He had merely silently testified by respectful glances his ap preciation of the arrival of a very pret ty woman. John Dorr saw the blush and inter preted it rightly. He, wo, bad ob served the Englishman's sudden inter est in the lovely girl. For the first time he felt a sharp twinge of jeal ousy. He had so long been alone io Ruth's regard that be bad not apa Iyzed his own feelings toward ber. He determined that 8ir Donald Faver- shain should not impose his company on them. The very next morning, when Ruth and Jobn cate out from the hotel ready for a stroll, Faversham lay 1p walt for the old cook and asked him for a match for hif cigarette. Tom renched into hig waistcoat pocket and pulled out a bunch of block matches, which be banded out with an air of doing a service to some one he could not see. Sir Donald looked at the queer matches, not knowing the pecul- farities of the western sulpbur article, and in spite of himself Kane had to instruct him to pull off one of the matches and strike it. When Sir Don- ald choked and sputtered over an in- halation of brimstone Fom looked pro foundly coficerned. "They're a Jeetle strong for some people," be remarked pityingly. "Strong!" answered Faversham, wip : ing his eyes. "I should jolly well say they were!" Their conversation had attracted Ruth's attention, and sbe and John both looked back. John smiled faint ly, but Ruth was indignant. "Tom did that on purpose," she sald. "I'm ashamed of bim."" How it happened only 8ir Donald could have told, but within three min- utes he was eschai remarks about the scenery with them all. "And there's an awfully jolly bit just over the other way," he said to Ruth. The ice was broken, and Ruth promptly accepted the implied invita. tion to see this specially lovely scene and Sir Donald led the way, talking with ber. After an- instant's hesita tion Jobin and Kane followed. The acquaintance thus made was destined to have a great bearing on the lives of both Ruth and John. had ripened into a genuine liking on eyeglass Ruth's purt before the dance that night | was over, I'he next morning Jobo and Tom met | Ruth walking with Sir Donald about | the botel grounds, and the young man could sot help showing in both voice and manner that be was little pleaséd i that Ruth should bave so suddenly | taken up with a stranger, "Remember, she's only a girl," Tom | warned him, feeling his mood. "She's been brought up in the wountains, and | she's ns friendly as a pup. | don't like the way the man puts petticoats on his | feet and I'm used to being looked at | with two eyes. but Ruth is all right. You must remember that young as she | Is and inexperienced. she has a good lot of common sense." - "1 suppose it's foolish of me," John | answered, "But I'm used to activity. | and this dawdling about doesn't suit | me and that makes me generally cross | and upreasonable. If | only knew what Wilkerson was doing! Ir Everett would only come!" 7 The wish was fulfilled that afteriioon when George Everett turned up. and was warmly greeted by both and Dorr. After a few words be asked for Ruth. . "You can see that she's all right" John answered quietly, pointing to her | as 'she came up the steps with Sir Donald. Both were in tennis garb, and | Ruth was delightfully flushed. {Sie Donald made -a few pleasant re- | marks and then excused himself. His {quick senses told hindi that. Everett | had come on business and that be | would be one too many. He | | gou't know tbat I have anything | mew and startling to tell you," Everett | told Ruth in answer to her guestion. { "1 know a dozen places where | can raise the mouey to finance your mine, but we must have the deeds, pupers 1 understand." "Yes." Dorr replied hirterly, "1 sup Wilkerson bas them. | ought to Everett glanced at Ruth and saw the discontagement quickly on: "However, I've made tem porary arrmagements which will re Heve yon of ali trouble for the present. Miss Galion. I'll talk over the business details with John and Tom Kane" affectionately on John's arm. erérvthing would come out all right when John took hold." she sald softly For two days Hurry Wilkerson work: ed steadily and secretly in his room At last his task was done. . "No vne can ever that old Tom Gallon did't draw that dued himself," Wilkerson said riampbantly. "And it mukes me the owner of the 'Muster Kes mine, Jenn. Ami once tn charge Then" y iy She surank buck at the fume in bis gaze upon her. 3 |. "Now. what,are you going to do? It | Kane | She brightened avd Wid one band | i kuew | I'll make ws bath Worth millions take charge of the mine white we de cide just what He what's going ou and warn us" "Dorr aud the rest ure still at Bever iy Hills?" she inquired, "Sure!" be said scorufully. "They're tieing up with sowe blooded Britisher they think has money. They figure on getting Lim to finance them, | reckon And | happen to know that Kir Donald couldn't finance anybody. We peedn"t worry about Dorr." Mrs. Darnell remained in thoughtfo silence awhile and then agreed to the suggestion. Wilkerson umyediutely wrote the message: Chailes Drake, San Francisco, Cal.: Go to Silent Valley at once and take charge of "Master Key" mine until you hear further from me. Am wiring Tubbs engineer, to this effect HARRY WILKERSON When be bad sent this and a mes sage to Tubbs be resumed bis gloating contemplation of his forged deeds. He did not see the look of burning scorn on Jean's face as she left the rooun "Wby must 1 always have to use fools?" she murmared bitterly. "A lovely pair--Wilkerson apd Drake!™ Drake did pot hesitate when te re ceived Wiikerson's telegram. He took the pext train for Silent Valley and on arrival there procured a rig and drove to the mine. On his arrival be was dismayed to see that no work wis being done. The 'machinery was idle, and the miuges were loafing about the streets or gath ered in little sullen groups. They eyed Lim curiously, but when he asked. for Tubbs they made no comment nor ask ed any questions. Following their directions, he soon found bimself on the porch of what bud been John Dorr's house, He knocked, and there was shuffling of heavy boots; then the door opened, and an unshaved, bloated faced man asked him gruffly what he wauted. Drake produced Witkerson's wire, and instantly the engineer showed re Hef. "Come fin! Come In!" "Come io and have a drink!" The luterior of the cabin showed that Bill Tubbs bad apparently been.nerely camping out in his new quarters with- out regard to the decencies. But Drake was not squeamish after his long trip and shared a drink with his host. A few words served to put the situation before him "There ain't no money to pay the men: the store's closed; the cook shan- ty ain't running; Wilkerson is away; Dorr hasn't turned up with the money be promised, and !'m just kind of sit- ting ou the lid while the pot boils, I'm mighty glad to see you. Maybe Sou can do something with these fel- lows. I've done my best, and | can't | do any more." : The words 'were hardly out of his | mouth before there was the noise of | boots on the porch, and Tubbs smiled in sickly fashion. A "1 guess they spotted you right off," be said. y "What do they want? demanded Drake as there. came a pounding oun the door. Two miners entered, and Tubbs in- troduced them to Drake. "This is the new boss, boys," he said. "Who sent you here?" was the first question asked. "Wilkerson," responded Drake. "Humph?!" "I'm just here to take charge tempo- | rarily," Drake went on hastily. not | liking the ugly tone "of the man's voice, The other man took this information and after digesting it said, "Going to start up and pay wages? "I'm mot acquainted with the situa- | tion yet." was the evasive reply. "I'l | go over things with Mr. Tubbs tonight, | and then in the morning I'll see what | is to be done." to du? Cull Sew be sald "The frst thing Is to give us money | and food," was the curt answer. The | men stamped out, leaving' Drake to | look bbs In some dismay. 'The engineer was so relieved at hav- { ing some one else to bear the burden of responsibility that he refused to be worried. "Have another drink, partner," he sald familiarly, "and forget It till to morrow." and surveys first. Aud they're gone, | v& been on his trail long age." © 4% After a very poor meal which Tubbs | scraped up the two sat down. aud | smoked. Tubbs' tongue griduaily loas- | Wo men volopteered to take old iLntne's rros apd wake the trip. Liu while you're in Silent Valley," viike sald, yielding to a sudden in- prion. "take. this $20 aid get some stub fur the camp." "Fhere's still some locked up in the ook buuxe." said apotber. "It's old vom Kane's lovkout, so we didn't ex- actly feel lke taking it." brake turued to Tubbs quickly. ie ia food as far as it will T #0." ne suid. 4 Tubbs louked suddenly serious. "1 Kuess you better leave that to me," he suid td a low voice. ' "I know where it will do the mest good." He winked slyly. * . - Meantime John Dorr, Everett and Tom Kane were spending long hours in discussing what was to be done to save the "Master Key" to Ruth. Tom once more went over the exact situa- tion at the mine and asserted that un- less prowpt measures were taken not ealy would there be actual distress, but likely rioting. "You know some of the worst ones hang with Wilkerson," he gaid grim- ily, "and they might at any time take it into their heads to do a littlé dyna- miting. Dynamiting is mighty dan- gerous stuff around several thousand dollars' worth of machinery, and if | they blew up the workings there wouldn't be any mine left, you see." "1 see," sald Everett at last. "Not having the papers, I can't put this deal through the way | want to eventually. But something must be done on the spot." "In the way of money?' added Kane harshly. "Precisely," Everett assented with all cheerfulness. "Now I'm going to loan Jobn Dorr here $5,000 today for the 'Master Key' mine, 'T'hen"-- John shook his head. business-like," he protested. Everett fixed his keen eyes on him. "Any reason why | shouldn't. loan money to Miss Ruth Gallon's manager and guardian? Any reason why you, looking after her interests, should re- fuse help in fixing up her affairs?" Dorr flushed. *1 didn't mean it that way. [It seems as if 1 kind of messed things up myself, and i~1 thought | might get em set right by myself." "You called on me, and I'm the doc- tor," said Everett authoritatively. He pulled out his wallet and commenced counting out bills. "I came prepared ! for this, for I thought there might be an emergency." "But who will take charge of it? Who will go to the mine? The broker laughed at him. "Not you, You'd be in a fight in three min- | utes, specially if Wilkerson turned up. | Tom Kane is our man." He turned on the old man abroptly. this money and go?" The old cook stared at the crisp bills | and then at Dorr. "1 ain't handled paper worth that mach lately," he re- marked, "But if yon want me to go in there and feed them people and get 'em back to work and keep things go- ing till John can fix things up here I'll gor > On his way to the mine Harry Wil- kerson's courage, newly fired by a last conversation with Jean Dagnell, com- menced to ebb. : Drake and Tubbs received him .with unaffected relief. A few words suf- ficed to make the status of affairs | plain. Tubbs looked at his superior with strained anxiety in bis bleared eyes. Dull and sodden with liquor as be was, be understood. perfectly that everything depended on the next few days. The engineer had lived in min: ing camps and on the desert all his life, and he knew the passions engen- dered by the arid mountains and the | H i en to blopdshed if aroused? bad Jost bis sense of fear oddly emough. As he had come into | out the forged deeds and hand em to Tubbs, ~~ : mean that I'm legally the the "Master Key' wine" 258 £ { 8: is 91 3 "That isn't | "Will you take | _THE DATLY BRITISH WHIG, SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1015 See The Motion Pictures IDEAL THEATRE, on Wednesdays and Thursdays "The sooner you let the miners know and get things settled the better." Wilkerson licked bis dry lips. The battle was on. He broke the silence by saying grufily, "Call 'em up bere, Bill" Nothing' loath, Tubbs went out on the porch, and his hoarse tones re- sounded through the little valley. In- stantly men appeared from doorways, came from a dozen places in response to that call. And women, clutching their children, peered out to see what was in the air. When the men were gathered before him Wilkerson stepped forward and commenced to speak. He could uot break their sullen silence, and, after a few words of generalities, he mustered bis courage and shouted: "I am the owner of this mine! 1 bave the deeds right bere!" ' ; The effect of this was far other than | be hgd'expected. Nota murmur came from the still, motionless throng. It was as if they had not heard him. Ip a lower tone he repeated it, "I am the owner of the 'Master Key' mine and all that goes with 1!" ? He beld up the papers, and Bill Tubbs looked at them and gravely nod- ded his bead, as much as to say that be had inspected them and could vouch for their authenticity. Still no' sound from the miners. There is a quality in the silence of the crowd of earnest men that is more questioning than any word could be. The men who had worked and tolled for old Tom Gallon, who had been de ceived and baffled, who had had their loyalty tested to the utmost, now de- manded through their imperious si- lence that Wilkerson open up his mind to them. If be was indeed the owner of the "Master Key," what did be in- tend to. do? "You'd better say some more quick- 1y," warned Drake in a low tone. And Wilkerson, completely bewildered. set the match to the powder. He stepped forward with as ugly a look as he could assume aud cried, "Now tell me what you want?" of This Story At The Kane glanced at him curiously. fe understood that warning wot to frigot- en Ruth and went on arity, "On, 1 reckon Just as soon us Wikerson gets Tubbs weaned from that butte of his" But when Ruth had gove to her own roows the cook wasted wo words in smoothing things over. "You've gout to act and met quick," he told John und Everett. "it alut the time for fooling. 'lunight may do the business, for those Mexicans wre impatient. Remember that Wilkerson Las the Keys to the powder house, and be has all kinds of chance to lay bis traps." : "I don't think he expected us so soon," John remarked. "A good cook always has grub for people that drop in unexpected like," was the grim response. "Just take a peek down there now." x Through the window John saw that | the camp was quietly but surely di- viding intd two parties. The elder miners were gathered about the cook shanty. Around the oflire stood Instantly the air was filled with | roars of rage and disappointment. Fifteen winutes later Harry Wilker- Son was sweating within the cabin. | With a shaking band he poured him- self out a tumbler of Tubbs' whisky. | He had promised the miners' back pay, steady work, full wages and food. He must make good, and be did not know how. "Tubbs," be sald sharply, "you must find out what men we can trust. Say nothing, but 'get ali the information you can. I'll make it worth the while of the men who'll stick by me." Again the engineer chuckled fatuous- ly. "They'll all stiek by ye," be said sagely, "s'long as ye pay 'em like you said ye would." It was late im the afternoon when Tom Kane appeared ou the wail wag- on. The driver had already informed him of how affairs were going, nnd the cook wasted no time. He climbed down' from the high seat, jerked bis . battered case out of the wagon and made straight for his shanty. Within five minutes be had divested Bimselr of his black clothes and donned b's official overalls and apron. Then he &ppeared on the porch as calm and un- | concerned as though he had not been | away. § In no time at all a couple of dozen miners had gathered to shake hands | Naturally their big- | and swap news, gest item was Wilkerson's proclama- tion of ownership. At this Tom Kane laughed scorn. | fully. He derided the papers, ridiculed the miners for being fools easily taken | in and stated In set terms that be, Tom Kane, actually held the place of authority. This soon came to Wilkerson's ears, gs 3 HH a ge] : i i i : : | | i | sf ! ; | : £ | wie i | : h § 8 § £3f i if 1 si : : § Ef £ ] isk x i Ef § i k ge gi il : if § : § i i iit rgd if Hs i £ J i 1 : iy : | | 3 f : : i gif fi: i fi =£ 4 = Any Terms. was wholly drunk. and on The porch talking to Wilkerson were a couple of Mexicans. "It looks as If they meant to rush the camp," Dorr sutd thoughtfully. te proceeded to arm himself, and Everett quietly followed suit "I'm goiug to talk to the boys first." sald Dorr. strode off down the hill, followed by the cook. A gunn was tired up vy the mine tunnel mouth. "That's a signal that the Mexicans are making trouble! Kune shontl; "Look out for dynamite in the shaft, Jobn!" Without a word further Dart leaped down from the porch of the cook shan: ty and started up the bith foHowed ty a dozen faithful supporters, Other shots were fired. Wilkerson sppeared at the tunnel mouth nud then vanished fuside. John sprang upon the trestle and rushed after hhn Instantly a band of Mexi-ans mate rialized balfway down the hill, fired a few shots and retredled John paid no attention to them. bit kept on Once within the tunnel he saw a faint gleam of tight ahead of him, He understood that Kane was rvigtun, Wil kerson was playing a de<pernte game in blowing up the shaft and then a | the ensuing confusior Allowing the bandits to lout undisturbed. A few yards farther on John stopped. A dark figure rushed by him toward the open alr. But the little glow of light remained. For u tsoment Horr | hesitated; then he lenped farourd and began trring to extinguish an lighted fuse. He bad almost succeel&l when a i bullet whizzed by him; then a second | spatterefl on the rock overnend. (le | tarned and fired blindly in the diree | tion of the shots and resumed his task. | The fuse was short. but he suceerded in extinguishing it and started mek. | He met a fusiliade of bullets. fle | dashed on toward the mouth of the | tunnel and suddenly emerged on Wi | kerson. who, not being able to see iblo | the murk of the shaft, was tiring blind. i 1y inte the opening. With a shout John leiped for the | man whom he now Knew to be seeking | his lite. Before Wilkerson could "tire nother shot be was caught in a | mighty embrace aud then began a $ sharp struggle high in the alr. Derr for the first thue in tis Hi killing that sometimes comes It' was either his life or agility and lithe quickness t to win when John § g -- ------ A FAMILY REMEDY FOR MANY YEARS Used "Fruit-a-tives"™ With The Best of Result, si dozen or so malcontents halt' drunk, | . ander the leadership of Tubbs, who ! The Old Cook Offered to Fight Him on | He teft the bungalow und | w the absolute and terrifie. GEORGE McRAY Ese. KirreN, ONT, June 17th, 1913. "1 have been using "'Pruit-atives™ as a family remedy for many years, They are the best medicine I have ever tried, "'Fruit.a-tives" do me the most good--they never gripe and their action is pleasant. 'I have used them for Indigestion and Constipation with the bestresults, and 1 heartily recommend them to anyone similarly afflicted. These tro haveleft mecomplete- ly and Igiv€ *{Fruit-a-tives" full credit for all this." A nicer pill a man cannot take." GEORGE McCERAY. The enormous demand for *"Fruit-a- tives is steadily increasing, due to the fict that this wonderful fruit medicine gives prompt relief in all cases of tudigestion, Constipation, Sour Stomach, Rheumatism, Chronic, Headaches, and Neuralgia, and all Kidney and Bladder Troubles. c @ box, 6 for $2.50, trial size 25¢. Sold by all dealers or sent on receipt of price by Fruite-tives Limited, Ottawa. 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