Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, March 12, 1915, Page 6

THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEER ° FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1915~ THE MASTER KEY By John Fleming Wilson By special arrangement for this paver a photo-drama corresponding to the installments of *‘The Master Key’’ may now ‘be seen at the leading mov- ing picture theaters. By arrangement made with the Universal Film Manufacturing company it is not only possible to read ““The Master Key’’ in this paper, but also after- CHAPTER XI. Sing Wah and His Wiles. OHN DORR stood stupidly staring at the papers which he had found in the locked drawer of the dresser. His brief Inquiries at the desk had only served to make the matter darker, so he had come back to the room to puz- zle things out. Painfully he set the facts in order before him. The first was that Ruth had gone to New York to deal with Everett about mouey for improvements to the “Master Key.” The second was that she had evidently not been able to find Everett and had started west again. The third was that she had been in this very room. There lay the papers that represented the mine and its value. But how—where—how could it be? His businesslike senses returned, and he proceeded to wire Everett’s office in New York, with the result that he was soon in possession of his address in San Francisco. “So Everett's here, too,” he mutter- éd. “That is stranger yet. I guess it was time 1 dropped in. Now to find Ruth!" He thrust the packet of papers in his spocket and then .withdrew them and locked them again into the dresser drawer. Ile bad a dim notion that Ruth might come back for them. Then he telephoned to the St. Francis hotel and left word for Lverett, who was re- ported to be out. Still following what his common ‘sense told him was the logical method -of unraveling the tangle he went down 10 the desk and entered into conversa tion with the clerk. Meanwhile his eye ran down the register. Opposite the aumber of the room he now occupied he saw a heavily scrawled “Mrs. J. Darnell and daughter.” He frowned, and the clerk said sym- pathetically, *“You must have a nasty headache?” “I have,” John returned. *“Met with an accident in an auto that rather up set me.” He laid his finger on the reg- ister and, controlling his voice, went ‘on as if casually, “I see Mrs. Darnell stops here.” ‘To Dorr’s secret amazement the clerk became mysterious, leaning across the desk to whisper, “Ah, you know her?” - *I wanted specially to see her,” John equivocated. “Is she here?” “She is not, and she left in a very strange way.” the clerk explained «quietly. *‘She came here last evening -with her daughter. I gave them the rToom you have now. Along in the late ‘hours she suddenly came down with ‘the #irl unconscious and told me that | “Do you know Mrs. Darnell very well?” she had been taken very ill and she ‘was hurrying her to a hospital. There were a couple of men with ber, and the house detective didn't like the looks of the whole affair, so he followed them.” “Was the girl very fair haired and— -and beautiful?” Dorr managed to ask in an indifferent tone. “Precisely.” responded the clerk, sud- ~denly matching his guest’s manner. ““If you want to find Mrs. Darnell ~maybe the house detective got her ad- +dress—or the address of the hospital ithey took the girl to.” Presently, in response to a summons, appeared the detective. who scanned John’s somewhat bruised face thought- fully, saying nothing until the clerk «explained that Mr. Dorr wished, if pos- wsible, to get into communication with "Mgzs. Darnell. “The best I can do is to find the taxi céiriver for you,” he said slowly, still _<stedying John’s ‘stalwart figure. “He ' 7mgy ‘be out on the stand now. Let's see” Aerthey' passed out the detective con- stipued ‘hesitatingly, “Do you know Mrs. ward to see moving pictures of our story. COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY JOHN FLEMING WILSON ! Chinese i white brother on an equal social plane ’g:\llery of every secret service office Darnell very well?" There was that in the man’s tone that made John pause before answer ing. He glanced at the cool, impas- sive face and caught the glint of the steady eyes. He took a sudden resolu tion. “I believe you're really interested in this matter.” Dorr said Lriefly. *“Sup- pose we talk this over before hunting the taxi chauffeur.” “I was merely curious, that’s all,” was the noncommittal murmur. “That girl is not her daughter,” John continued. *! have reason to believe that it is Miss Ruth Gallon, the heir- ess to the ‘Muster Key' mine, whom she is abducting.” His pa n blazed forth in spite of his self restraint, “I must find her and save her. “Might T ask what relation you are to the young lady?" asked the detec- tive mildly. John stared at him and then realized the -oddity of his actions and words. He briefly explained his position at the mine and his wardship of the heiress. He also went into detail as to what he suspected Wilkerson of, describing him carefully. . “He was one of them, sure enough,” agreed the detective. ‘‘But young heir- esses ain’t being kidnaped days like these out of hotels like this.” “I may be mistaken.” John assented tvearily. *“All I know of Mrs. Darnell is from occasional words dropped by Wilkerson. But I suppose we might get a clew as to where they went any- way.” After some search of the long line of taxis they came to one which the de- tective identified as the one Mrs. Dar- nell had taken the night before. “Driver, take us where you did those. fares who were in such a hurry last night,” the detective ordered. The chauffeur shovk his head. *“You can search me for the address.” he re- turned. *“There wasn't any.” The driver leaned out from his seat and went on earnestly: *“‘You know how they jumped in and we rolled off. Well, it seemed it was a case of life and death, according to the woman, and I stepped on the machine and hastened some toward the North Pa- cific hospital. But when we got into Chinatown one of the men hailed me and told me to drive just as he said. He got out here in front with me, and when we reached a certain spot they all beat it.” “Can you take us to that spot?” “I was just wondering te myself whether I could find it." was the re- sponse. “But I'll try.” He threw in his clutch and the car left the line and started up the hill toward California street. John Dorr leaned back against the cushions with a strange sense of at last being on his way toward his goal. He barely heard his companion’s murmur, “Evidently ‘they took her into the lower part of Chinatown.” We usually credit the oriental with little or no imagination. pointing to his art. his clothes and his language as evidences. As the fact runs, even the coolie uses the faculty of imagination more frequently than his Sing Wah. or Wab Sing, as be was indifferently called. was outwardly a stolid, dull eyed Chinese of uncertain middle age. His picture—it was in the from Singapore to Philadelphia—was not less changeless of expression, nor more teciturn than he. Yet'in spite of his scmber elothes and general air of blank stupidity, Sing Wah was a man of ma a man with a history replete | with adventure aund. not too seldom with crime. 8 If the ordinary criminal could have' an office or a store he would quadruple his protits. But the common run of | rascals must steal and fly. Their post- office address is a figment. They are not at home when opportunity knocks. Sing Wah knew this, and it was his boast that for thirty years any one who wanted him, either day or night. could find him. So he sat at the back of his little store night after night, blinking through the wooden screen at the va- rious customers who eame in to trade or barter. And year after year they came to his door, the pirate and the thief, the smuggler and the robber, and be took his toll of them and passed them on. Whither? Sing Wah never told. And because he did not tell they. came back with greater loot and rich- er booty, and he again passed them through his store to vanish utterly from the haunts of men and the pur- view of the police. Among the many hundreds who had availed themselves of Sing Wah’s aid was Wilkerson, who, during dark pe- riods of his career, had several times run athwart the barriers of the law and been compelled to seek refuge where he could. = i Harry Wilkerson was not a fool. In some ways he was brilliantly endowed. He recognized Sing Wah’s superiority to-all others in the great'game of out- the stolid mask the alert, active, stu- dious mind which was ever vigilant, never . forgetful, - always intelligently witting the law. 'He perceived beneath’ watching the world that passed before his filmed eyes. The Chinese had, as well, acknowledged Wilkerson's adept- ness and persistency. In several deals they had been partners to their mutual profit. “You are a very good fellow, Har- ry,” Sing Wah had told him once ‘as they ‘drank tea in-a little room in the rear.” *You are a smart man—almost as smart as [ am. 'But you are too hungry, ‘Yon cannot resist your appe- tites. - Now, I”"—he made a slight ges- ture of .distaste with his lean brown . hand—*T have no_appetites.” Wilkerson nodded. right, Sing Wah. You even haven’t any pride. You talk pidgin English to the tourists and the rest, instead of speaking the perfect English you know.” The dull eyes lit for a moment hu- morously. *“I have always felt that 1 owed it to Oxford not to flaunt my ed- ucation in a small tradesman’s shop. don’t you know?” The ‘imitation of the Oxonian draw! had been so natural that Wilkerson had slapped his thighs in delight. Thereafter he took a peculiar pleasure in watching Sing Wah’s assumed silent stupidity and comparing it with what he knew to be the real person behind the dull features. It was to Wilkerson that the Chi- nese had explained his reason for nev- er changing his address, no matter how brisk the police might be. “And I have thought out a scheme which you will like,” he went on. ‘“Come with me.” ) Tt was then that he showed Wilker- son the cylindrical room which had a single door and revolved at a touch on a lever. “Dangerous stuff!” commented Wil- kerson. “If the police find that they’ll sure land you.” Sing Wah’s pallid lips opened in faint smile. “I built it for them. And the Chinatown guides know about it and “I guess you're . will charge $10 extra for a trip through the horrors of the underground, as they call it.” The Chinese sneered. “‘Let them play with such things while I use the brains heaven gave me. And yet, sometime that trick room may serve a purpose.” Thus it came about that Harry- Wil- kerson, driven to his wits’ end to ac- complish his designs, bethought him of Sing Wah and fairly drove Jean Dar- nell'and Drake before him. To Mrs. Darnell’s credit it must be said that she rebelled strongly. But W ou've got to do the trick” the stake was'too great to risk, and she bitterly consented to Wilkerson's has- tily outlined plan of hiding Ruth away somewhere in Sing Wah'’s precincts un- til they could once more get their plans into working order. Before she would leave the place she must indeed see Sing Wah himself. *“Will the girl be safe here?” she de- manded. The Chinese looked at her flushed and passionate beauty in silence until she repeated her question. Then he said quietly and in his own exquisite- 1y modulated: Englis| *You need have little fear. The servants are honest and discreet. And"—he let his eyes meet hers tully—"T think it is possible that she is safer now than she has been for some time. Good night. mad- am!” While Wilkerson and Mrs. Darpell had been hurriedly arranging matters with Sing Wah, Drake had gone in search of lodgings nearby. He found them in what had once been a noted botel, whicix bad fallen into sad @ecay. It was in the faded rooms he engaged here that the three met to consult on the future. “The first thing to do is to get hold of those deeds and papers she has in her grip.” said Wilkerson. *“I wender you didn’t think to get them before, Jean.” . The woman's eyes lit with dull hatred. but she made no answer. “She watched him fuss with the locks of the hand satchel which she had indicated as the one in which Ruth carried her valuables. When it opened and Wil- kerson thrust his elutching fingers downward into it Mrs. Darnell leaned forward as if in pretest. He paid no attention to her, but continded’ his search with ever increasing haste. At last he straightened up with an oath so venomous and deadly that even Drake shrank back. “The deeds aren't here,” Wilkerson said thickly. *‘She’s hidden them!’ “But where?” This question seemed to break Wil- kerson’s almost steely intensity of pur- pose. The question put kis whole prob- lem before him in two words—but where? He shifted his eyes from the emptied satchel to the curtained win- dow. Instantly there leaped before him the picture of the truck turning slowly -over in the gulch, of the huge billow of smoke, of the little lances of fire that charged through the dry un- ‘dergrowth as if to preserve to the flames their prey. Was it for this that he was a murderer? The curtain blew inward before some vagrant wind from the bay, and Wilkerson drew back in terror. “What is it, Harry?” demanded Mrs. Darnell, instantly taking alarm. “Nothing,” he said. sullenly. Just thinking of something.” He turn- ed on Drake. *“You've got to do the trick,” he went on, “How’s that?” demanded the young- er man. Wilkerson eugerly formulated his “I was his plan, ticking off the points on the tips of his quivering fingers. “First you're Everett, turned up at last. You find her’— “In Chinatown!” sneered Drake. “You can easjly gain her confidence and get hold of the papers, and may- ber— Drake laughed uglily. *I look like the kind of joker who. would dress up as a banker and then proceed to renew my client’s acquaintance in a Chinese joint. How am I supposed to know she’s there? I tell you, ‘Wilkerson, that you can’t travel straight, even when it pays you. Why in God’s name you ever took that girl to that place of Sing Wah’s is beyond my comprehen- sion. Any place would have been bet- ter. Now you have put the heads of all of us in a noose. You know what people will say when”— “They’ll say nothing,” said Wilker son furiously, and he proceeded once more to argue that Drake could easily continue to impersonate Everett and in that guise carry their scheme to ts profitable conclusion’ In spite of his eagerness and sophistry he was unable to move either Drake or Mrs. Darnel! from their attitude of frightened con- tempt. At last Drake agreed to do his best to make Ruth trust him. - “But I don't like this impersonation business,” he said firmly. “I might go to a hotel and hand in my brokers card and ask for an interview. but { haven’t lost my senses.” “Well,” growled Wilkerson. *“just see to it that you worm out of her where those papers are.” CHAPTER XII. Crossed Wires. HUS it happened that just when Drake entered Sing Wah’s unpretentious door- way the taxi with the hotel detective and John Dorr drew up in a side street and stopped. “It was here they left me,” said the chauffeur sulkily. The detective and John got out and stared about them. They were in the lower part of Chinatown, a single tier of blocks that stretched beyond the bounds toward the bay—mot in the quarter, but of it. “Which way did they take the girl?” said the practical detective. The driver led them around the cor- ner and up an alleyway. He pointed to Sing Wah’s door. “I think they went in there,” he muttered. “Ah!" said the detective thoughtful- ly. “When I was on the police force I used to know that Chinaman. He'’s the smoothest rascal in America, bar John gritted his teeth in helpless rage. “And she’s in that fiend's foul clutches.” he groaned aloud. At this moment a policeman came along and accested John’s companion familiarly. In a few words the case was explained to him. “You won't find anything, of course,” the officer remarked. *“But just for satisfaction let’s have a look-see and a chin-chin with Sing Wah.” They entered the shop just as a Chi- nese was clesing a panel door after Drake, who had come to make his promised attempt to win Ruth’s confi- dence. Sing Wah was nowbere to be seen. After some futile parley with the Cliinese, whose ignorance was com- plete in every detail, the two officers agreed that they were wasting time. “Old Sing's the boy to see,” said the house detective. *“Let's wait awhile.” Now, Sing Wah had pondered the affair during the night. and the more he thought over having a lovely white girl in the cylindrical reom the less he liked it. It was deadly dangerous. Courts might be lenient with the smug- gler and the go-between. Sing Wah knew that if even a suspicion got abroad that a young white woman was imprisoned in his quarters a ravening mob would tea wae determined to get the girl away immediately. So he was unfeignedly glad to see Drale. Drake attempted to explain what Wilkerson wanted, but the Chinese cut him short. “Harry is insane,” he said quietly. “He is mad over that woman. [ have done all I can. You must get her out of here.” “But how?” demanded Drake. *She doesn’t know me very well, and she’ll scream her head off, and I'll be arrest- ed, and we’ll all be in a muss.” Sing Wah nodded thoughtfully. Then he looked up and listened to the low words of one of his clerks. Dis- missing him with a single grunt, he turned to Drake. “There’s not much time,” he said softly. “They are on the trail al- ready.” “Who?" “The police.” He motioned Drake to a chair in the little alcove, where they stood and went on: “Stay here a mo- ment. I will see for myself.” He pulled a lever, and the room swung around till the door was opposite him. ‘With long, slender fingers he slipped back the panel and vanished. Ruth lay on a couch. open eyed and white faced. Beside her a richly dress- ed Chinese woman crouched. whisper- "ing soothingly. At sight of Sing Ruth Gallon suddenly sat upright in silent horror. “I beg your pardon, miss,” Sing said in his silkiest English. -*“I have come to take you back to your friends out- side.” The girl shrank back. *No, no, no!” she moaned. “They are not my friends.” “Surely Harry Wilkerson”— Sing suggested craftily. to see how the land lay. - b “Wilkerson!” she whispered. —was he here?" Her tone conveyed all that he wished to know. He motioned to the woman to leave and when she was gone pulled a. cord, which let down a light rope ladder. “Is he | streamed in a swishing tide. his place stick from | stone and hang him without trial. He | ———y “I am sorry, madam,” he said quiet- ly, “but I shall bhave to ask you to | climb up this. It is the only safe way out.” He laid one hand gently on her arm. Now. Ruth was California bred. with all the prejudices for and against the Chinaman. She screamed. At that in- stant there was a crash of a shattered door in the distance and the sound of wmen talking in excited tones. “You must come,” said Sing Wah. ~1 will take you to a place of safety. All T ask of you is to follow me and be silent.” His earnestness was unmistakable, |and Ruth yielded. A moment later they both stood on a small landing place above the cylindrical room. Sing Wah carefully drew up the ladder and coiled it again on the wooden trigger that had released it. Then he led the way down a dark passage to stairs lit by a mere glimmer of gas. Ruth drew back, but he indicated that she must go on. Even as she obeyed his impe- rious gesture there rang out the muf- fled clangor of revolver shots. Then again came the sound of doors yielding to violence and the shouts of wrathful men. Sing Wah hurried her on. down steps, along shadowy passageways and “You must come,” said Sing Wah. under low arches till she felt a sudden cool, salt breath on her face. At her feet she saw the glimmer of water and a boat riding to a long painter. Quick- ly and silently Sing Wah drew the lit- tie craft alongside and motioned to ber to get in. By this time the tumult had died down to a mere muttering of shots with an occasional yell, mufiled by walls and the distance. She stared fearfully about her, at the great arches i of dripping brick overhead, at the little landing under foot, at the dark vista of the tunnel through which the water She drew back and let her voice out in one long. foriorn scream, the pent up agony of viany hours, ber final call for help against the dark powers that had seiz- ed upon her. With swift strength Sing Wah reach- ed out his sinewy arms, raised her up and seated ber in the stern of the boat. A moment later he had cast off the | painter and shipped the oars. Tbe boat slipped silently away oen the eurrent into the murk. * * * * * . - After some talk between the otficers John Dorr was informed that if he liked they would enter Sing Wah's and make a thorough search. “Not that I think we’ll find anything or anybody.” said one of the police- men. “but it never does any harm to take n look-see through Sinz Wabh's, and the lieutenant is coming down now to take charge.” A moment later that officer arrived. and John Dorr made his tale as con- vincing as jpossible. The lieutenant seemed dubious. “It isn't like the old rascal to run his bead into danger that way.” be in- ted. *I think you are on the wrong Who did you say was the man | who did all thi “Wilkerson—Harry Wilkerson,” John answered bitterly. 'Wilkerson?” repeated the lieutzuant. “That puts another color on the mat- ter. Wilkerson and Sing Wah used to be pals. This'll bear looking into. Come on, men.” With wonderful quickness the officer disposed his men so that every known exit was guarded. Then he motioned to John to follow him and went boldly up to the shop door and entered. Followed again a futile parley with a Chinese who professed to know no language but his own. The lieuten- ant’s quick ear caught a sound of something moving directly behind the impassive clerk. Brushing him aside, he smashed in the door in the partl- tion and strode into the hallway be- yond. John Dorr was close at his heels. The next few moments were to live long in John’s memory as the strang- est of his life. “Be careful!” warned the officer. “The rascals may start shooting.” Even as he spoke there was a ruddy flash down the dark alleyway, and Dorr staggered back. “Only my arm,” he muttered. *Come on! Don’t give 'em arother chance at us here! Rusb ‘em!” An instant later they etood in the cylindrical room. John stared about him, but the lieutenant merely remark- ed. “This room was built merely for {ant, much relieved. tourists’ consumption. Let me see that arm of yours!” Examination proved the wound to be slight. They glanced up from it to see the doorway swing slowly away as the rcom revolved. “Trapped, by smoke!” said the lieu- tenant. He laid a warning bhand on Dorr’s arm. “Keep quiet. We've lost our directions and we must wait a mo- ment till we discover where that door- way is.” So they stood hesitant for a few sec- onds. A panel slipped open in the wall and a woman's face appeared for an instant. Swift as the Chinawoman was, the police officer was quicker and he plunged through the shallow panel, with Dorr at his shoulder. Once through they paused in the semidarkness to orientate themselves. Finally the lieutenant stepped forward. *“I'his way,” he said. *I hear voices.” At that very moment there came up to them an unearthly scream, a shriek of pure terror. ' “Ruth!” John yelled, and he and the officer both plunged forward. Instead of the firm footing they ex- pected empty air received them. Twen- ty feet below they struck the water. Spluttering and swearing, the police- man helped Dorr to a little ledge that { ran alongside the tunnel. “The miserable Chink dropped us into the big sewer.”” he gasped. “It runs into the bay just a little ways on. We'll have to swim for it, part- ner.” Dorr looked down at his arm and shook his head. *“Isn’t that a boat over there?' he demanded. pointing into the shadow. “Blamed if it ain’t,” said the lieuten- “We'll soon be out of here.” In spite of his wound Dorr insisted on rowing. and the officer philosoph- ically allowed him to. seating himself gingerly in the stern of the little craft and fending it off the brick walls of the tunnel with his hands as the swift current drew them onward. To Johu the whole affair seemed like a dream. He saw the great dripping arches sliding past overhead to join the long vista of arches that bridged the glimmering water which splashed gently along to the call of the tide; he saw the dark bulk of the lieutenant in the stern: he felt the pain of his wound; he still heard Ruth's wild call for help. But it was all unrelated, as if each were a fact by itself. isolated. He struggled to gather his senses together. “Look out!" shouted the policeman suddenly as the great half cylinder curved sharply and a blast of fresh air struck them. “*We'll be swept out into the bay! Keep the boat trim:™ Awakened by this warning. John de- voted himself to his oars and a half moment later steered their little craft out under the piles of a whart. *Where to now?*” he demanded dully. The lieutenant pointed a thick fore- finger toward another small boat a few rods aw; “There is Sing Wah now, by smoke!" he exclaimed. Jobhn Dorr glanced around. He first saw the impassive visage of the Chi- nese and then the figure crouched in the stern sheets. It was Ruth! He raised his voice in a triumpbant yell. Hearing that call from her mate, the girl roused herself and cried back across the water: “John! John!" At this point the police officer took part with a stern order to Sing Wah to stop rowing and surrender. He em- phasized this command by covering the Chinese with his revolver. Sing Wah was of no mind to be caugbt in this way. With a dexterous sweep of the oars he swirled his littie skiff around so that Ruth was between him and the other boat. and he never ceased to pull doggedly “You've got to row, s lieutenant grimly. doesn’t intend to be caught so easily. 1 daren’t shoot for fear of hitting the girl.” John saw the re and bent to his oars without regard to his wound. The Dboat surged through the water atter the other. With a good 1ead of a hundred yards Sing Wab stood a fair show of gaining his object-a landing uncer some wharf and a quiet escape. He knew that if he were to fall into the hands of the police under the present cir- cumstances he would be treated mer- cilessly. He rowed furiously. But the Chinese had long since ceas- ed active life, and bis muscles were soft. John Dorr steadily gained on him. Slowly he crept up. foot by foot, inch by inch, his eyes tixed on the steady figure of the officer in the stern. At last he caught encouragement from the policeman’s face. He heaved the skiff fairly out of the water, grasp- ed the stern of the other boat and be- fore the Chinese could clear himself for a leap overboard was upon him. Now, Sing Wab was a true oriental. It showed in his swift drawing of a knife and a swifter slash at John Dorr’s arm. But be was too late. With an inarticulate roar of rage John flung the knife overboard and then fdung its owner after it Sing Wah gone and swimming away toward the shelter of a nearby wharf, John strode back to where Ruth lay balf fnanimate and picked her up in his arms. “Honey! Honey! he “You're safe with me!" Very slowly she opened her eyes and gazed long and searchingly into his face. It was indeed true that she was safe. She laid her head on his shoul- der in perfect confidence that all was well. The police lieutenant stepped into the boat and took the oars. “It's not like Sing Wah to be doing such tricks.” he argued to himself. “I believe that Harry Wilkerson is back of this. I'll just keep an eye out for Mr. Wilkerson.” The lieutenant contemplated his drip- ping uniform with a frown. which soft- ened when he looked up at the two lovers. He pulled more strongly for the landing. (Continued next Friday) dleness of this murmured. LS