Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 31, Number 354, 30 January 1907 — Page 7

I lid itii-J ii0 7. Page Seven.

hmo-iti Palladium. IVeonesday, January

THE KNIFE THROWERS Sy FREDERIC VAN RENSSELAER DEY. Author of "Not Like Other Men." Etc

Copyriyht, VJQl. hy Frederic Van Ucnescbicr vcj.

. v v O T 'V o tt it

, chapter nr. THE OBLIGATION" OF SJLEXCE. f NCI DENTS that are exceptionally portentous are frequently the least prolific of results. It was so In the case of Pendleton. Nothing happened. The day passed without once affording him tlie sight of a JAiman being. He regretted his coffee, hut there was native v.ine In abundance, with cold meats and luxuries sufficient to have provided a company of men with sustenance for several Jars.. lie passed the time in reading,

hi walking up and down the room and in various means of disposing of the

seemingly intermlnahle period be

tween the return from the dueling jrround and the darkness of the suc

ceeding night. Never had a day seemed so long, but it came to an end at last, and never had the sun disappear

ed for Burr Pendleton so pleasantly.

Stil!, there were more endless hours to

wait, for It was not until 10 o'clock In the evening when lie heard a voice at the prating and knew that the time for

liberation was at hand. It was Paneho wlio came, but he did not speak. He only unlocked the prating: and stood respectfully aside while th American passed out. He made no remark when be dexterously threw a scrape over Pendleton's head. Beyond that there was no attempt at coercion. The lasso was not used again, and it wan only through an expressive pressure upon his arm as It was grasped hy the Mexican that .Pendleton knew that he was to be treated with every courtesy and consideration. Upon the friendship of this unknown Mexican he knew from the experiences of the past night he could rely, and he permitted himself to be led again along the graveled paths, among the sbrutbery and finally found himself the occupant of a carriage which was driven

rapidly away as soon as he had entered it. The serape was removed from Pendleton's head as soon as' they were wifely within the carriage and the curtains had been drawn. When at last It came to a halt and the American was Informed that be could al'.gbt. Prndleton said: "Paneho, I shall not forget your kindnesses to me. I am sorry that you will not permit me to offer you some substantial reward, but I feel that I would offend you ff I should insist upon It. You already know much about me, more than I am aware of. doubtless. I ave written on this card an address In the city of New York, whore a commu liirotloa will reach me or from where 'iie will be forwarded o me at any

time. If the , time should ever come when I can render you a service, consider it done. Fay to the senorita that . I forgive her for preventing me from enpaging in the duel, with Captain Romero; say that I am Informed that a friend acted for me in my absence. "Where are we? At the bronze statue?" "SI, senor." replied Paneho. "Good night, then. I will walk the re- . xualuder of the distance. Adios, my friend." "Adios, scnor." Pendleton had walked nearly to the upper end of the Ahimrda before he remembered that be had left his case of pistols iu the carriage, but with the thought that Paneho might, derive

pleasure from the possession of the

weapons as souvenir of the occasion, he shrugged his shoulders and hurried onward". lie was surprised to discover James placidly engaged in packing. "Even after Captain Agramonte called and told me about the meeting, sir," ha explained in reply to his master's hok of surprised inquiry, "I was troubled until I received your message an hour ago." "My message an hour ago? What was it, James?" "The man Fa id t hat you had directed him to tell me that you would leave on the early train on the National road in the morning and to have everything packed and in readiness. That was correct, was it not?" "Oh. entirely so. entirely sol" And he thought to himself, "Surely this woman

meddles strangely in my affairs." I was not until the following evening, however, that he did leave Mexico, l'Ut he was not serry when the train here him away and he was homeward louud. When Rnrr Pendleton was iu the act cf ascending the steps to the entrance of his favorite club In New York, he encountered a gentleman who was just taking his departure. They paused, mutually and agreeably surprised, and. after having exchanged greetings which gave evidence that they were more than ordinary friends. Pendleton drew the ether back into the house, where they sought a quiet corner by themse.es. "Yes, I have returned. Craig. It is really I," was Pendleton's smiling reply to a question asked by his friend. "Do you realize, old fellow," returned his friend, "that you are more than two weeks overdue and that not a word has been heard from you iu that

time?" "Certainly. Circumstances over which I had n control unavoidable delays, unintentional negligence and all that, you know. The fact is. Wyndl am. I had a duel on my hands, and I did net care to let you know about it. You see, I made all arrangements In ease I should not be able to return at nil. which, I ctmfess. seemed at one time more than likely, and I thought If I did nt come back it would be time enough to tell you when I arrived, as It is." . Craig Wyndham calmly lighted a fresh cigar before he ventured a comment on the statement of his friend; then, rather to Pendleton's surprise, Le did not refer directly to the subject. Instead he asked quietly: "Had it to da with the business that took you there?" "Not at all. not at all. I assure you." "Then won't you tell me about the business. The duel cau wait."

"i can tell you about tue business m two words I succeeded." "Then you are glad you went?" "Most certainly. The fact is, Craig. I should have gone there long ago : sent you. as I talked of doing. I think the trip has been good for me In mere ways than one. It surely has per formed one miracle, for I have di?cov cred that I still have left sufficient en ergy to do tilings if I only work nijsrl.' up to the proper pitch. I left this Mexican business altogether too long. I should have attended to it Immediately after the death of the gov'nor. It

would have been easier aud better, and I think the jnjople down there would have understood things better. However, I fancy it is all right now." "You fancy? I thought you said you had succeeded." "So I have perfectly, entirely, utterly, in every way but one. and th.if one is apparently unimportant. I have brought hark a mystery, and I hate mysteries, as you know." "Is the mystery connected with the business?" "Yes and no. "That reply is ambiguous, Burr. Of course I posses ordinary curiosity.

Naturally I would like to hear ail about all that you will ted me. but yon must remember that 1 was left In Ignorance of mr.ny points in this affair of yours, and I do not like to ask questions." Pendleton waited a moment before replying. Then he tossed away his cigar aud took a turn up and down the

room. Reseating himself, he said slowly;

Briefly, then, I will say this, for the

present the duel, as you say, can wait;

in fact, it came mighty near waiting

anyhow: You know, ever since the gov'nor died I have felt that I ought to

take this trip, and you also know that

the only reason why I did not do so was my own consummate laziness. I

wanted you to go there for me, and you consented to do so. But. Craig, 1 could not bring myself to tell yon all that was necessary for you to know. If you- had undertaken the trip simply because I asked it, I would have felt that I was not keeping faith with my dead father. You knew or ought to have known, and. I believe, did know, that my hesitation did not arise from any reluctance to take you into my

confidence." "Assuredly. Burr." "The written injunctions that the

i!ju kone out more tnan an hour j tola tnat I am here." before and had left no worth J They went to the door together, "Tel! him when he returns," said j James in the lead. He rapped gently Wyndham. "that 1 found it imiossihle j upon the panel, turned the knob, pushto wait longer, but that I will keep the i ed the door open gently and stepped appointment for tonight." ! aside to allow Wyndham to pass him. He stood near nntil the clerk mado j Pendleton was sitting in the depths

the memorandum, and then, with knitted brows aud thoughtful mien, ho took his departure. The relations between him and Pendleton wore twofold in character. They had been intimate friends since the day of their first meeting at college, and wutrii years afterward Wyndhain's fortunes had not proved to be all that he expected he became by adaptation more than through engagement a sort of alter ego for hi3 rich friend. Pendleton was tall and dark and. as he frequently admitted, lazj-. Wyndham was big and fair, somewhat uncouth when

In juxtaposition with bis m:re elegant friend, possessed of pndigious strength and tireless energy. Thus it naturally came about that he "did things" for Pendleton, and this relation grew stronger between them as time went on t:::t:l the managinent of Pendleton's affairs had fallen unconsciously, it seemed, almost entirely into Wyndhain's hands. For these services there was no recompense given or received that is, there was nothing in the shape of a (stated salary. At times it was Pendleton's habit to deposit a check for .1 considerable sum to Wyudham's credit at the bank where he kept an account. When that had occurred several times, always under protest from Wyndham. Pendleton had discovered a way out of the dilemma. "Look here, Craig." he said to him ; one day more than a year before his departure for Mexico. "I wish that you ;

would do me a great favor."

of a large easy chair that lie affected

in a far corner of the room, and Wyndham. believing that he had fallen

asHvp un.ntentiouaiiy, started for

more pernaps. 1 never nau a son, so I do not kuow." "You would sacrifice much for him, would you not. James?" "Everything;" sir life Itself.' if that could do any good." "You loved his father also, James?" "With all my heart, sir." . "Would 3-011 be willing. James, in order that justice may be done not euly

to your dead master, but to his father's

ward to awaken him. while James re- ' memory, and for the sake of the family

mained In the doorway. But he had taken only two or three steps when he paused abruptly. Pendleton's head had fallen forward 03 his breast. In the very center of his

1 .. A! M , VT

JIM

In the very center of his sfiirt front an object tats hticjeina orit. shirt front just "betow the point where n single diamond gleamed was an oh-

111 try. Burr. What is it?" was the stic king out. Underneath that was

reply. j splash of red, leading downward un- ; "vrtii r.oa ,,r.i or. inorhnncfihio til t t kst from sight behind the j

name, to permit a great shadow to fall upon you for a time?" "I don't know what y?u mean, sir,"

replied James humbly. "I only know j that I am willing to do anything that I can do if In doing it I can serve him." "I believe you. James. Now. listen closely to what I have to say. Your master is dead and by the act of tin assassin. A great crime has been committed, and that crime is the result of events that happened long ago. I know I something of the history that let! to ! this deed, but my Information is very meager. I have no doubt that you are i aware cf many things connected with' ' this strange history which will assist i

me to unravel this tangled skein. We will talk of that later. The death of Mr. Pendleton must be reported to the police and to the coroner at once. If we say ahj'thiug concerning the visit of this stranger and the subsequent open door, as you believed you hail

closed and latched it, suspicion will point its finger at him, but we cannot say one thing or prove one circumstance to convict him of the crime, ami Toe would therefore escape. By con

necting him with the affair at all we

would strengthen the position he is in,

for you may be sure that he has plau

j ned thoroughly to save himself. On the other hand, James, there are those who

i will suspect j ou of the crime."

1 James started back with a cry of hor

ror.

ortt u seen in the possession ot nis t v "i""s siie over uim, wincu refriend, i quired all his strength of w ill to conne threw the door of the safe open l"cr. without hesitation, and with an air of ! n kue luat hc" was incurring a familiaritv th.it is indescribable se- deadly risk ia acting as he had done.

leeted certa.11 bundles of documents - hlch he deposited on the floor beside him. Then lie removed the key from the lock, selected another from the ring that was suspended to it and with that one opened an inner drawer of the safe. Prom that. also, he removed the papers, but those he placed in his pocket. Then he reloeked the drawer, 11 placed the larger key in the s-afe lock, closed the door again, arranging it as nearly as possible as he had found it and deposited the papers be hed abstracted from the safe in various pockets alnmt his clothing. Then he sighed while he looked again intently upon the body in the corner. For a moment after that he remained apparently in deep thought, with bowed head and tight lips, and then he went out of tin room and sought

the one habitually occupied by Jr.mes. J

There he

far if it should appear that he had leen to Pendleton's rooms suspicion, which might in any case attach to him, would ia the minds of many take the form of certainty. Still for the plan that he had formed :luring the few moments when he stood by the window while James wept uear him he was pursuing the only logical rourse. He felt that he must take tho chances. . What uervocs force he was compelled to exert ia order net to maulfest the perturbation he fejt during those hours sf the night nolody but himself could ever know, and when he left the club in the full light of the early morning In the company of one of his companions iu the game it brought the tirst moment of relief he had had from the terrible strain. ( At his own door he left his frieud

e selected a handkerchief, d, saying that he would get two or

which bore the name of the old valet. 1U;W "Wl"- "" end returned with it to the room of wlu,v f "ved. He knew that he was the traedv lQ a Position to prove an alibi for every

Ten minutes later he quietly left the : . V . u i"""'

house, and as quickly as he could traverse the distance he re-entered the club where he had parted with Pendleton less than five hours before. lie went at once to the desk. "Has Mr. Pendleton returned?" he asked, and on being informed that he

k 1 f f

surplus of energy that I wish I could Induce you to devote it all to me." "How do you mean?" "Why. just come regularly into my employ as what Is It that kings and queens have about them?" "Fools principally. I think I'm not Op to that. Burr." "Keeper of the privy purse; that's wdiat I mean. Suppose you look out for my accounts, pay my bills and, in short, attend to everything for ma, so that I will not have to think of anythlsg vnless I want to. Don't "3x11 "see iam my checks for me and attend to the small matters of life, so that I will not have them 10 think of? That is what I want. You can do as 3-ou please concerning salary. Vou 'v-a l;x the amount, r.ubject, of course, oy ap

proval" he looked away while he fyS that "or when you feel that you need some money you can draw a check for what you want aud charge it to 3-our account." Wyndham raised his head in preparation of a protest, but for once Pendleton's energy got the best of him. "I won't hear of an objection." he

said somewhat harshly. "Either 30U

"Susnect me!" he almost shouted.

uuitoneu waistcoat, anu i-enuieron . ..y Jaraes. if you at Jt calm-

uurr renuieion-u-More ne ui neon j ,Jf you wij, soe that j am right and

rernmteu an opportunity to iaK. cis . jsmeg that ,s precisely what I want friend Vvrsdham into hi3 con fide Aea. .... . , .

1 mi? worm 10 ueuete. i

friend

was

TTPTER IT.

TP'S XING CUXXTXG.

ItAlG WYNDHAM Jijcoxcred

while he was still several fert from the bod3' of Lis frltrad that lie was dead. He saw

In that fractional part of an instant the cause of death. With a swiftness of which he was himself unconscious he turned and seized James, drew him froni the room and closed the door almost before the valet was aware of the

awful thing that had confronted them. wist were he stiU aIlvc to airect us Then, while the strong and relentless j wbat to do and Anally so that I may

arm of his master's friend drew him 1 ln tue ena PaIsy tue "anu luat strucK

into the narlor. his old knees bezan to 1 our master to death. Mr. Pendleton

tremble and threaten to give way be- j lived in a shadow. James a shadow of

neath him, so that when at last they ! IEe Past- "p guarded it jeaiousiy, even tr ti. nf tim iwrr. i,nrU.- from me, his closest friend. Now it

want you sus-

tiorft rkf tlda primp lint- nnltr frr a

time." "But why, sir, why?"

"So that the person who really did

it may be thrown off his guard; so that

I will have time to work out to the

end all of the facts connected with the

crime that I now know so little about;

so that I may have time to guard against the revelation of things that I

am sure Burr Pendleton desired never

to be known; so that I may be enabled to fulfill what I know would be his

agree to my proposition or I engage

rov'nor left for me you remember thit somebody else to do the work that I 1 did not get heme until three days aft- have asked you to do. If you are my

er his death Imposed the obligation of friend, as 3-ou pretend to be, you will

silence upon me with considerable

emphasis; that Is, silence up to a certain point, after which I could, of course, exercise my own discretion That point could not be reached until i had made a personal investigation, a thing that he practically ordered me to do. Well. I have made it. The obligation of silence is upon me no longer. 1 can see no reason for keeping still now In fact, the time has come when I mus tell somebody, and naturally you niv the one whom I have selected for a con fidant. More than that, I feel the neeu of advice and help, and 3-011 are the on I3 one I know to whom I am willing to apply. There is not time and this l

no place for me to go into details, bus if 3'ou will give up this evening to me in my rcoms well, we'll have it out te the end. It is a mighty strange thing Craig, that a man can leave behint

him when Ue dies a tangle which in-

accept, but if 3-ou have any more of 3-our foolish ideas of pride standing in the way it is time that we found It out and quit. Either you accept or we part here, Craig. You put me In the position of the pleader, and I have never pleaded for anything in my life. If I did not want you, I certainly should not ask you. If you will assume the responsibility of mj' affairs and relievo me of them entirely, in addi

tion to the labor you will perform, you will confer a very great favor. You ought to understand that I could not place this responsibility upon any man whom I do not know." The discussion was ended. The matter was arranged to the mutual satisfaction of the contracting prfrties. and Wyndham became to all intents and purposes the" mentor of his friend. It is true that Pendleton carried a private checkbook of his own for personal

neath the chandelier, he was weeping and was devoid of w hat little strength he had possessed. "Your master is dead. James. Who killed him?" were the first words that Wyndham uttered. He spoke calmly, but his face was deathly white, and he did not realize with what resistless strength he gripped the arm of the old man. ' "God help us, sir, I do not know," was the reply. "Let us go to himl"

'No. Remain here. There is no. use

becomes my duty to work it out until I

know all that I am sure he meant to tell me tonight. Lastlyi James, there Is one reason more vital than all. It

is more than probable that suspicion

will fall upon me also. I think the man who committed the deed will en

deavor to bring that about- If you disappear, thus convincing others that 3-ou are guilty, it will leave me free to

work; if I am hampered in any way, that fact will play into the hands of the enemies of Mr. Pendleton. Will

From that, also, he removed the papert.

had not he added: "You may destroy

the message I left for him. I expected

that he would be here a half hour ago. When he comes In, say that I am in the

cafe." And as he turned to go to the cafe the outer door opened, and the very man with whom Tendleton had left the club entered.

But Wyndham did not turn his head.

He went calmly on his way to the cafe.

1111 C

to go to him now. He is dead-quite you do what I wish you to do, James?"

volves two fnilies and which may yet use ia case of emergency and that a involve two nations In trouble, but that very comfortable sum was kept to that Is precisely what my father did. Not account; but, nevertheless, it had to be only that, but I have permitted thest drawn from the other one and over the T

rears since his death to roll past, never signature of Wyndham

dead. Before others are informed of

this you must answer some questions for me. After that I will tell you what Is best to do. Can you control yourself, James? Here take some of this brandy. If ever you loved Mr. Pendleton, show it by keeping your wits about 3-011 now. Are 3-ou sure that it was half past 5 when Mr. Pendleton returned?" "Positive, sir." "Why so positive?" "Because the clock on the mantel had stopped, sir. I asked Mr. Burr for the correct time so that I could set it." "Was he alone?" "No, sir. There was a gentleman with him." "Who was it? Did you know him?"

"I knew his face, sir, but not his name. I have seen him on the street

in the City of Mexico." "Describe him or, rather, let me try.

dreaming tha the matter could take the serious shape it has. I regard mjself as rather a guilty party as things are situated now, for I cannot help be lieving if I had attended to matters at once much that Is now unavoidable might have been prevented. I believed the old man was deceived that he imagined a great deal, but I found well, wait until tonight, and I will tell 3-ou what I discovered."

"I think, old man." said Wyndham Jeliberatel3 while he drummed the burning end of his cigar upon the ash receiver "I think that perhaps, having returned from a long trip and leing naturally delighted upon meeting an aid friend, you may be inclined to place too much confidence in him. Let us revert to the part of the business that I understood before you went away, which, as I remember, related

only to property. Did you find the property that your father directed you to recover? Have you brought back the title to it. so that it is undeniably j-ours? Have you fulfilled that part of the obligation that rested upon you?" "Entirely, yes." "Then it seems to me that ends it." "How so. Crr.ig?" "Why, that is all that I supposed I had anything to do with." "You are right. It is." Peudletou made this last remark between the in termittent flaming of a cigar which at that moment he was engaged in light iug. When he cast the match aside, he

left the table with some haste and in tcrcepted a gentleman who was at that moment passing. They talked togethe? several moments and then disappeared

In the direction of the club cafe, am Wyndham. supposing he would soon return, waited but when an hour had passd and he was still alone his patience was exhausted. lie summoned the waiter and, having signed the necessary check, asked the name of the man whom Pendleton had intercepted, for he remembered that the waiter had been standing near them at the moment. "He is a club guest, sir," replied the waiter. "I do not remember his name. I think, sir. that he presented his card only yesterdaj-." Wyndham strolled through several parts of the club after that, believing that he might encounter Pendleton, and at last, convinced that he was no longer in the house, he Applied at the desk, onlv to be told that. Mr. Pcadle-

I believe that I have seen him also. Not as tall as Sir. Pendleton, eh? Quite handsome. Black mustache, black C3es. complexion rather pale for one with such dark eyes and hair. Does that answer?" "Perfect lv. sir"

which Wyndham longed for an oppor- , ..Now tefj me what tLey dld wben tunity to ei plain, but which the other thvy came nere together" man never gave him the opportunity , ..r'rhat l do not kOWt jIr Wynabara. t0Jl0" 1 1 did Dot hear the stranger utter a There are men who carry burdens wor(1 IIe seated bimself ia tbat cbajr which are never seen or suspected. hile M RnrP intrt ih(h Pnnm

This was the state of things when

the friends encountered each other on the steps of the club on the afternoon of the arrival of Pendleton from Mexico; and there were other things that had grown out of the arrangement

Wyndham was one of them. Burdens

which rightly belonged to him he did not mind, but burdens that he bore for another oppressed him really more than he knew. lie was the most undemonstrative fellow in the world. Persons fcr whom he felt the most profound affection were the least likely of all others to observe signs of It, and when he left the club that afternoon 'after the unexplained departure, and in some wa3s the Inexcusable negligence, of Pendleton it seemed to him that he bore a burden that It was next to Impossible for him to carry. That was why his brow was creased with thought, and that was also why he did not see that a pair of dark skinned strangers followed in his footsteps and

where where you found him, sir. .lie came out again a moment later with a bundle of papers that looked like letters in his hand. Then he sent me from the room. Presently he rang for me and ordered some brandy, which I serv

ed and again left the room. Nearly an

hour later I heard the bell again. Mr,

tiurr was alone tnen, although 1 am

sure that I did not hear the stranger when he left the apartment. My master told me what clothes he desired to

wear tonight and said that he wished to rest a little while. He then went into his sleeping room and closed the

door, and I went out to attend to a com

mission he had given me. I was not

away from the house more than twenty minutes, sir, and when I returned I

never once lost sight of him until he wag Burprisea to uiscorer that 1 had disappeared three hours later through left tbe door wb5ch communicates with the doorway that led to the apartments lbe ba!lway OD tbe iatcb, Jt was not of his friend Pendleton. open s, but it was Qot latcbed anJ , James Pendleton s valet replied to ite gun? tbat , bad d , Jt

the touch of the electric bell. He was

fond of Wyndham, for he knew with that instiuct which is more animal than human, but which unerringly points out or individualizes those who love the people we love, that Wyndham was devoted to his master. In reply to Wyndhain's question he replied: "Yes, Mr. Wyndham. Mr. Tendleton Is in. He is in his room, but left word that he did not care to be disturbed. I am not sure whether I should announce 3'ou or not." "By no means, replied Wyndham. "I will wait. What time did he return?" "Half past C, sir." "Half past o? Then he must have come directly here from the club?" "I think so. sir." Wyndham glanced at his watch. It was nearly 9 o'clock. He waited until the hands pointed at exactly that hour. Then he said to James: "1 think. James, I will ask you to announce i!;e now. Mr. rendleton expects me. He is tired and is doubtless sleeping., I think he. would rrcfer to. r

when I went out. My idea was that Mr. Pendleton bad remembered some

thing else that he wanted and had gone

to the door to call me back, but that 1 did not hear him. That is all, sir until you came. That is all I know." The old servant conld restrain himself no longer, but sank into a chair, buried his face in his hands and wept. Wyndham strode to the window and let tbe old man sob on unheeded, while he drummed with the ends of his fingers upon the pane and stared into the darkness. When James' sobs ceased, Craig Wyndham turned back Into the room and, placing one band gently upon th old man's shoulder, spoke kindly, bnt with an intensity that had an instant effect. The power of the man shone ir his eyes at that moment, and. aithoug! his face was pale and .drawn, he wa: outwardly as calm as if nothing tmto ward had occurred. "James," he said. "I believe you love your master very dearly." "As if.he wpk rov own son. Kir I

"I will do whatever you think best,

Mr. Wyndham." replied the old man simpl3 "I know that Burr loved 30U and trusted 30U more than any other person In the world. Tell me what I am to do, sir, and I will do it." "Then you must leave the house at once, taking nothing with you. I will write an address upon this card where you are t!t go. Assume the name of Thomas Hudson. Wait; I will write a line for 3-ou to take with you." "Wyndham tore a leaf from his notebook, wrote rapidly upon it and passed it to the old servant. "Give it to the lady who will admit you at that address. Wait there for me until I come, no matter how long that time may be. Will j-ou do It, James?" "Yes, sir." James, very much in the manner of one who is stupefied, found his hat and then" returned to the room where Wyndham was awaiting him. The friend of his master was still standing in the middle of the floor and evidently had not moved after the instant when James left him. "I am ready, sir." he said. "Can I would it be possible I mean are you willing that I should see him before I go?" "No, James," was the calm reply. "Go as you are. Forget that you have

I drT Inni o " i 11 ATnmt no T-rm xx? liiri

last ln life. What comes after that ah, well! Go as you are, James. Do no forget your overcoat. The. night is cold." James hesitated at the door. He stopped and looked back, but Wynd

ham was still in the same position in the middle of the floor. He did not raise his head or make a sign, and the

old servant stepped sadlj into the hall and closed the door. Wyndham still remained in the attitude of one who is listening. He could, in fact, hear the old man's footfalls as he descended the stairs; he could hear the bang of the outer door when It closed, and not until then did he make a move. Even then he only raised his head, so that he could listen more intently, and waited. Many minutes passed in this manner, but at last, as if satisfied that there was no chance that James would return, he closed the inside shutters at the windows, after which he helped himself to a portion of the brandy on the center table. After that, with distinct deliberation, be opened again the door which communicated with the room where Pendleton's body had been discovered. He approached it and for a moment stood silently regarding the grewsome aspect. Twice he sighed deeply. Once he bent forward and intently exam'ned the hilt of tlie weapon that had Mken the life of his friend, bnt he did not tcuch the body or the chair in which it rested. Once he looked toward the

doer he had left a jar bat not with the

startled glance of one who expects to discover somebody peering in upm tbe scene; it was more as If he wefe

measuring the distance and relieviuj by calculation some mathematical

doubt that still possessed him.

There was a safe In one corner of th

reeni, one or tnose little iron sarc-s that lock with a key. The key was in the loch, and from it dangled others attached by a ring a ring that he had

CnAPTEll V.

TOE CEXTLEMAN FBOM MEXICO.

RAIG . WYNDITAM had been

only a few moments ln tlie cafe of the club wbeu a card was given to him by one of

the servants. Upon it was engraved, "Carlos de Escudera y Romero, 4 In-

carnaccion, Ciudad de Mejico."

Ask the gentleman if he will not

jolu me here," he said to the servant.

and present', approaching him. he

discovered the same personage whom

he had twice seen that evening and whom he verily believed to be the assassin of Burr Pendleton.

With a look of unrecoguition in his

eyes Wyndham rose from his chair to receive the stranger, extending hlh

right hand as cordially as if he did uot

believe the one it grasped to be guilt3'

of the foulest deed he had ever known.

Mr. Craig Wyndham?" said the

stranger interrogatlvelj-. "The friend

of Mr. Burr Pendleton?"

Yes." replied Wyndhani, noticing

that Escudera used perfect English.

Your name is not known to me, how

ever. v ill you be seated, sir : '

"Thank you. I also claim friendship

with Mr. Pendleton. I made his ac

quaintance in Mexico, wheru we had many pleasant hours together. I met

him here early this evening before the dinner hour, in fact and expected to

see him again about this time. I have

heard him speak of you so often that

when the clerk at the desk told me

your name I entered the club Imme

diately after j-ou I took the liberty of

sending my card to you."

I am very glad that you did so. Mr.

Pendleton .and I had onl3 Just met

when he was called away, doubtless

by 30U. I also expected him here about

this time. We will wait for him to

gether. In the meantime be my guest.

Mr. pardon me, but I cm unused to

Spanish names. May I ask how you

pronounce your name?"

"I use the first one of the two, Es

cudera. Ye. I did leave tbe club with

Pendleton. In fact, I went to his

house with him, but I remained only a

moment. I discovered that he wan

very tired and so agreed to meet him here later, where he did me the honor

to say that he would present me to you." Wyndham's eyes sparkled for one brief instant, for he knew that statement to be a lie. He knew that Pendleton did not Intend to return to tbe club that night and that he had not promised such an introduction to the Mexican for the very reason that he expected to spend the evening in his rooms with Wyndham. It was the first tally In the score tbat he intended to make against the Mexican. Refreshments and cigars were ordered and two hours passed while the men conversed upon every subject that either could think to Introduce, and at last It was the stranger who suggested that the hour was so late that there

was small chance that rendleton would appear at the club that night. It was Wyndham's suggestion that they should go out together, and they strolled along the avenue side by side as far as the hotel where the Mexican was stopping. After that Wyndham returned to the club and. finding a number of congenial friends engaged at one of the card tables, played with them until daylight. It was rarely that be did such a thing, but that night he bad especial reasons tiff It. ana never had he ap

peared to better advantage or played

the game with more scrupulous care.

Always during the game it seemed

to him tbat he could see his friend as

be saw him in the sleeping room of his

apartment sitting dead in tbe chair in

with Pendleton except those that wore

ruallj- the most vitalbetween r and 10 o'clock the preceding evening and for those he must trust to nerve and .'hance Iu case the question should arise. As soon as he was in his own room he carcfull3- examined the papers that he liad taken from the safe and in the interest he felt in them for the time partially forgot the awful reason for the examination. From them he selected several which he concealed. The others he destroj-ed. But after he had bathed and refreshed himself, thus destroying all outward appearance of the effect of the event of the past night upon him, he returned to the club for his breakfast. He had found among the papers th key to many things that ho did not understand, and he felt certain that as soon as he could have a protracted talk with old James he would be enabled to see his way clearly lefore him. The mystery by which Peudleton was surrounded was beginning to unfold. At the cldh he met Carletou Biggs, a character whose prototype may !m; found in almost every club of prominence in New York. They belong to the "has boons" in that they are among the oldest members, are always serving on some committee and have from some mysterious source Income, suflicient to pay their dues and purchase an occasional meal. But tbey are al

ways ready to accept an invitation to breakfast or dine and regard their abilities to enteWain as sufficient equivalent for the favor. More than that, thej are ever ready to ierforin any slight gentlemanly service which will place one of their benefactors under obligations to repeat the Invitation at the first opportune moment. Wyndham desired Biggs to perform Just such a service for him, and for that reason invited him to take breakfast. When they had lighted their cigars, Wyndham put out his feeler. "By Jove!" he said. "It Is too bad that Pendleton has not como In. Did 3-ou see him last night, Carleton?"

"No. I heard that he was back, but I . did not see him." "He was to meet me here during the evening and did not come. Then I supposed he would blow In for hi breakfast. I. really ought to get word to him before I go down town, and j et I haven't the time. I'll have to write a liue and send it down by a messenger lxiy." Biggs fidgeted an instant in his chair and then took the bait. "I'm going down that way presently." he said. "I had it in mind to drop in and see Burr anyway, so If I cau carry a message for yon, old man" "Would you? That is Just the thing. It will be a great favor, Carleton, if you will take the trouble." "No trouble at all. I intended to stop there anyhow, j-ou know. Will you write the message, or shall" "Certainly not. Just tell him that It i Tcry important that -ho should

Mmm

"You know vJuit a lazy auffcr he is. meet me at the Lawyers' club at 2 o'clock sharp. That Is alL It relates to. some business matters that we talked about last night and had not time to finish. We were Interrupted. - A gentleman he knew in Mexico came In. and Burr left the club with him. I have not seen him since. Don't forget

at 2 sharp."

"All right, Wyndham." "And I say, Carleton, make t!m

come, lou know what a lazy duffer

he is. Come along with him if you

will and lunch with us at the Savarin. IU be at the X-awjcrs' at 2 precisely, .

but I'll be in a hundred places between sow and then, so there'll be no chance

to get word to me. You'll be there, ehr

"If you have business matters to dis-

crs. perhaps"

"Bosh! There is nothing that yon

cannot hear all the world, for that matter. I'll expect you. You'll see Burr soon, won't you?" "Within half an hour." Wyndham went down town fhm and during the remainder of the forenoon attended to hjs affairs as stoically and as systematically a he always did. Not once did be deviate from his usual habits. He went to the same places, saw the same people, cracked Jokes, laughed and in every way was Just the same as he always was to those who knew him intimatelv.

(To Be Continued.)

The Palladium gives a oenar eaen

week for th best piece of newt "tip ced off to it

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