Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 31, Number 355, 31 January 1907 — Page 7

The Richmond Palladium. Thursday, January 31, 1907

Page Seven

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

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Copurljht, 1901. hy Frederic Van JiengncUtcr Dcy.

1- orture favorea mm in one respect. .Shortly after noon Le met on the street. near the corner of John, Senor Ericudera. They shook hand .cordially, and Wyndham invited the Mexican to see th pictures at Stewart's. There be Introduced him t a number of ac quaiutauces, and. selecting two of tbeiu. he asked them, in company with the Mexican, to go with him to the Lawyers' club, where he expected to meet two friends. "We'll all have lunch together," he said by way of clinching the invitation. Thus It happened that just as both hands of old Trinity clock pointed at 2 the four gentlemen entered the Equl table building together. They had hardly crossed the thresh old of the entrance before Carleton Biggs rushed forward and confronted Wyndham. "I thought you'd never . come," he aid, "although, as a matter of fact, you are on time. I have been here nearly an hour." "That was foolish of you, Carleton," drawled Wyndham. "I told you that I would be here at 2 sharp. Where Is Burr?" "I could not find him." "Couldn't find him, eh? Well. It doesn't much matter. Fortunately, I did not need him." , Then he introduced Biggs all around and added: "Come Into the Savarin. We'll hare luncheon anyhow." When they were seated at the table and the order bad been given, he turned to Biggs again and asked: "Did James tell you where he bad Cone?" "I couldn't find James either." "That's strange." "I went back three times and rang repeatedly each time, but nobody answered. Perhaps he did not go to his own rooms last night." - During1 this conversation Wyndbam had glanced in the direction of Escudera several times, but if the Mexican heard what was said be gave no Indication of it. "Oh. yes. he did." replied Wyndham In response to the last remark. "Senor Escudera went there with him from the club. Did I not so understand you, enor?" -he continued politely, turning to tbe gentleman from Mexico. v "What did you ask, Mr. Wyndham?" said Escudera calmly. Craig Wyndham smiled, but he found It difficult to conceal the gleam of satisfaction that came into his eyes, fcr he felt that the Mexican had slightly overdone his part In that counter move. When the question "was repeated, Escudera replied: "Why, yes. I went with Mr. Pendleton from the club to his place of resi dence. I believe it was his Intention to remain there last night, although I do not know. Terhaps he has been called away again." The subject was changed after that, end when luncheon was finished tbe larty separated. But Craig Wyndham thrust his arm under Biggs and drew Lira along with him. "Come with me," he said. "I have one or two things more to attend to, end after that we will go up town together. If we do not find Burr at the club, then we will go around and look Lim tip. I shouldn't wonder if be was sleeping and had given James orders to Bdmlt nobody. lie has done that thing before, you know." CIIAPTER VI. WHAT JAMES KXEW ABOUT THE PAST. WT is not necessary to describe In def tail tbe discovery of the body of Burr Tendleton or the effect that the discovery and its consequences produced upon the community and particularly upon those who knew him intimately. - - -' - - - - Tbe mysterious disappearance of the lervant James pointed the finger of suspicion In his direction and naturally diverted it from other suggestions. Not even a faint Indication of such a thing attaching to Craig Wyndham was heard 5r thought. The coroner's Jury found that death had been caused by a dagger in the bands of one James Ferguson, valet to the deceased, and every effort of the loIice was exerted to bring about his rapture, but even, such a sensational affair was soon partially forgotten, and the newspaper comments diminished from columns to paragraphs and then ceased altogether. The day after the funeral Tendleton's lawyer sent for Wyndham and told him of a will in his possession by which Craig Wyndham was made sole legatee of all the property that Pendleton had owned. It directed him to pay to James Ferguson a stated annuity as long as ho lived; and there were several minor bequests of like nature. The will also contained the following clause: . . ' ' "I make also the following express wish: With this my last will and testament 1 will place in tbe hands of my attorney . a certain sealed envelope which uill be delivered into the hands of my legatee and executor. Craig Wyndbafu.'as soon as convenient after he has been' made aware of the contents of this my will. The contents of the envelope aforesaid will emlain to fciy executor certain duties which I desire him to perform in the event of my death and which I believe he will perform to the best of his ability and wl ich, for reasons of my own. I do not rate to embody in this document. I do, however, consider it just that I should here ask pardon for placing snch grave responsibilities upon him and also for keeping secret from him the fact that I have done so." The will was drawn and executed Immediately before Pendleton departed for Mexico, and only the lawyer who drew it and Pendleton himself were aware of its contents.- Inasmuch as Burr Pendleton had no near relatives, Ihe will was orobated without objec

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Z J. o T J. il tion, and Cralg7. yntiham -touna himself suddenly a very rich man. In the meantime he met Escudera f-eqnently at the club, ou the street and in divers places. Indeed It seemed to him that It was the intention of the Mexican to throw himself constantly In his way. but between them on the occasion of such meetings there was always exhibited the utmost cordiality. Escudera retained his quasi membership in the club, and always Wyndbam watched bins furtively while he awaited replies to certain inquiries be bad Bent out to Mexico and to other places. It seemed to him that Escudera bad the air of one who was killing time as best he could while he awaits the liapIenlng of some expected event, but what that event might be Wyndham could not even conjecture. The Interview between Wyndham and old James had taken place in fact, several of them but at this point it is necessary only to refer to one of them. They bad, as usual, at such times been engaged In discussing the incidents that had happened to Pendleton in Mexico and for the third or fourth time referred to the duel. "Wyndham had already connected the name of Ilomero with that of Escudera and was of the opinion the two were related. "Did you ever see the man with whom your master fought the duel?" he asked of James. "Yes, sir; I saw him two or three times." "Did the man who was with Mr. Pendleton tbe evening we found him resemble tbe duelist at all?" "Not at all, that I remember." "Now. James, go back to the moment yon first knew that a duel was to be fought. How did you know about it?" "Mr. Burr told me." "Tell me how he told you; tell me Just what he said." "He asked me If I remembered an Incident that occurred one afternoon on the Paseo when ho defended a I.-idy from the attentions of a man who had offended her. I" "Tell me about that incident, .Tame:;." "We were on the Paseo together, walking. I was a few feet behind Mr. Pendleton. We were near what Is known as the Indian statue, which 's located rather farther up the avenue than pedestrians usually go. A little way in advance of us was a lady and her maidservant. When we got near the statue, a man appeared suddenly from behind it or cne of the big cypres trees, I don't know which. He walked rapidly toward the lady, and she stop ped still, as If she were frightened, but I do not know if that was the reason. although I think it must have been." "What time of day was that, James?" "About 5 o'clock in the afternoon. The sun was shining, and there were hundreds of people within call; so I do not think the man really meant anything like violence." "Well, go ahead. What happened then?" "The lady was a hundred feet or :o in advance of us when the man confronted her. We were walking slowiitoward them. Whether Mr. Pendleton was looking at them or not I do not know, but I was. for I thought the actions of both rather strange. I noticed that they talked rather excitedly and that they seemed to be known to each other. In the meantime we were drawing nearer to them. We had almost reached them when the lady turned suddenly away, as if to leave the man. and he reached out and seized her by tbe arm. "That was more than Mr. Pendleton could stand, as you know, sir. He stopped Instantly, raised his hat. addressed the lady in Spanish, as though be had known her all his life, and at the same time utterly ignored the man. As for him, he hesitated an Instant, and I never saw such a fiendish expression on the face of a man as that which swept over his at that instant. But he did not say a word. Instead he turned away and walked rapidly down the avenue. "The lady murmured a few words to Mr. Pendleton. I think they were words of thanks. lie raised his hat, said two words in reply, and we continued on our way. "That, sir, is all there was of that Incident, but the man who afterward Insulted my master and thus compelled him to send a challenge was the same man. Captain Koinero, who Is called the deadliest duelist in Mexico; so you see, sir. there must have been' some connection between the two affairs." "Undoubtedly, James." "And now, sir, if you will permit me to surmise a little, I have an idea." "Let me hear it, by all means." "The evening before the duel Mr. Pendleton was busy for some time preXaring his affairs. Then he went out. ostensibly to the opera, but I know he did not go there, for about midnighf or a little after Captain Agramonte who was to be his second, called ant: told me so. Inquiring for him. The fo! lowing morning I received a note h his handwriting telling me to defer at action twenty-four hours longer tha: he had told me to do when he wen away, and the note was brought bytl same person who on the preceding da'i delivered one to my master in th pateo of the hotel just as we were go lng out for luncheon, and. sir, what ! more important, it was the same per son who came to me a few hours b -j fore Mr. Pendleton's return and ga me a verbal message to have ever; thing packed and in readiness. Th" last message I am sure my master ! cot send. "I know that Mr. Pendleton engar in the duel with Captain Romero, a. I know that he shot him. for I hea. him ask Captain agramonte Just L fore our train left the station abou the "condition of Roniero. It is - iu; opinion, sir. that the lady who , wa doubtless the real caus of the due eat for him that evening when he was

she tried to prevent the meeting. This is only guesswork, sir. but I cannot help thinking that the duel was a consequence of that encounter on the Paseo. and that the murder of Mr. Pendleton is somehow related to both affairs." "No doubt. Jaoses; no doubt whatever. But I believe we way go back even farther than that and ay that all three of the occurrences grew out of the causes of your master's journey to Mexico. We will have to search farther back than the encounter on the Paseo for the motive for the taking of the life of Burr Pendleton. James, was this trip you made with E.-rr the first time you had been to Mexico?" ' James hesitated and looked away for a moment. Then, more to himself than to his companion, he said: "It can do no barm for me to tell about it now." "It is your duty to tell everything that will help me to clear up this mystery," said Wyndham sharply. "That was your second visit to Mexico, then?"' "My third, sir." "Indeed! Tell me about the others." "I was there twice, sir, with the father of Mr. Burr, but I promised him that I would never speak about it, sir. to anybody, and I never have until now." "Not even to Burr?" "No, sir; not even to him." "That was wrong, James." "That may be. Mr. Wyndham, but I believed I was doing my duty." "We need not argue that point. Tell me when you went there first." "It was shortly after I became n member of the Pendleton family. I was

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T7i man tea Captain Romero, the deadliest duelist in Jcxco." i twenty years old. Mr. Robert Pendleton, Burr's father, was, I think, about thirty. It was during the same winter when Burr's mother died." "How old was Burr?" "Not quite two years, sir." "Well, what took you there?" "Mr. Robert Pendleton bad some business there that had been left by his father. I do not know much about that, sir, for I always tried to keep my place and to mind my own affairs. He intended when he started to remain only a short time, but we were in the City of Mexico three months, and 1 saw very little of my master during that time. We had rooms at the Hotel Iturbide. where I remained, but Mr. Pendleton was rarely there either day or night, and I only know that bis time was passed at a house In Tacubaya. at a fine residence which ho told me he had purchased, but which he subsequently disposed of." "When and how?" "That I do not know, sir." "Why did he buy the house and why did be pass his time there instead of at his rooms in the hotel?" "I did not know until long afterward, Mr. Wyndham, but the fact is he had fallen in love with a Mexican lady and married her." "Ah, I begin to see daylight, James. Tell me all you know about that event" "I know very little only that he married within a month after we arrived in Mexico and therefore within four months of the death of Mr. Burr's mother. Perhaps It was for that reason that he insisted upon keeping the matter a profound secret and made me promise that I would never refer to our visits there to anybody under any circumstances. I have kept that promise until today, sir." "Do you think that Burr knew of this second marriage of his father, James?" "I am quite sure that he did not, sir." "I mean at the time be went to Mexico at any time before his death." "I do not think he ever knew of it, Mr. Wyndham." "Do you know the family name of the lady who became Mrs. Pendleton?" "No. sir, and, besides. ' there is another thing, sir, which may be important the lady was never known as Mrs. Pendleton. We traveled in Mexico under another name, but I cannot tell you that name, Mr. Wyndham, because I have forgotten it." "Forgotten it. James?" "Yes. sir, I have forgotten it." Wyndham did not believe this statement, but no amount of argument could induce James to change his reply to the question, and it was finally abandoned. "Tell me about your second trip there, James," he proceeded. "We were called there by the illness of the lady who was Mr. Pendleton's wife. She died and was buried before j we arrived. lie was greatly shocked.' We did not remain very long about ten days. I think. I saw very little of him then, as before. He did not seem like himself at all, and be never recovered from the shock. Although he lived many years afterward, it affected, him until his death." j "Was there a child or were there children by that second marriage, James?" "No, sir that is I . don't really j know, but I think not. I think Mr. . Pendleton would have told me had ' such been the case." "Let me sum this business op a little. According to your statements. Mr. Pendleton lived with his second wife two months and then came north again. Is that right?" "About that. sir.". v "How long after that was it that you made the second trip to Mexico?" '"About a year a little more than that. I think. No. sir. pardon me; it was something less than a year. My memory Is cot as clenr as it used to be." "How do you account for the fact that he remained so long a time away from his bride?" "I hardly know how to rtvli ta that

i Know mat be was very rand or her. and it is ray belief that when we came north and left her there he expected that she .v.-ould follow, him -very soon. I think there was some trouble of some kind, but 1 never knew what it was. He was overwhelmed with business. I know that he received letters from her. or at least from Mexico, constantly, and I know that he wrote to her very often. I think it likely that her coming was delayed from week to week and that be refrained from .going to her during that year at her request I am sure that nothing else could have kept him here waiting." "He did not take you into his confidence In this matter, then?" "No. sir; only concerning tbe marriage itself." "Did you ever see the lady?" "Never, sir." "Nor a picture of her?" "I did not" "I wish you could remember the name under which your master lived in Mexico. James." "I am sorry that I cannot" replied the old man obstinately, "but It has gone from me entirely. I would not recognize it even if I should hear It" It was plain to Wyndham that James bad determined that he would not reveal the name and had adopted the plan of forgetfulness as the best means of avoiding argument and tbe old man's resolution could be accounted for in only one way, which was that he had given an absolute promise that he would never tell it "Robert Pendleton must have had a strong reason for binding his servant to such inviolate secrecy." mused Wyndham. "and be also must have bad a strong reaspn for adopting It la the first place." lie turned to James again. "Why did Mr. Pendleton make use of an assumed name at all?" he asked. "He never told me that, sir." "Do you know?" "I think so partly. I do know that it had nothing to do with bis marriage, for he chose the name before we left New York, and be never saw her until after we arrived in Mexico. lie went there on some business that bad been bis father's. He believed that he could best attend to it If be were not known. And you mpst remember one thing, sir although people in Mexico knew him by a name not his own, his wife, although she never bore his right name openly, must have known what It was. for the letters he received were properly ad-dressed. I believe others were deceived, but that she was not Now, sir. I have really told you all I know more, in fact, for I have made bold to conjecture a great deal. Perhaps out of it all you may find tbe missing links in the broken chain. I am sure I cannot help you any more unless you take me to Mexico and let me point out tbe bouse where he lived. That might help you, sir."

CHAPTER VII. WTNDHAM S CAME OF DOUBLES. AFTER that there was a hiatus which lasted several weeks, during which nothing worthy of record here happened. Wyndbam and Escudera continued to meet as : they had done before, and there were other interviews between James and Wyndham. which, however, developed nothing new. The letters sent to Mexico by Wyndham were answered, but from them he ; derived no Information that was of benefit to him in his search for the defiant mystery that had shrouded the life of B'lrr Pendleton. Witb the exception that now and then some incident would recall the event to the memory of a reporter, the tragedy of which Pendleton was the victim was almost forgotten. Even Wyndham himself began to despair of ultimate success, or, rather, he had about made tip bis mind to go to Mexico himself, where be believed tbe solution of the affair was located, when an event occurred which altered all bis plans and which brought things ultimately to a climax. He was sitting idly in the clubhouse one afternoon, wearily thinking over all that had occurred and endeavoring to decide what was best for him to do next, when one of tbe servants informed him that a lady in a carriage at the door wished to speak to him. He rose wonderingly, for Craig Wyndham was in no sense a ladies man. He never sought their society and. In fact avoided them when he could. That one should drive to the clubhouse door and ask for him was so utterly unprecedented that be was for the moment nonplused. However, he obeyed the summons at once and in another moment was standing at the curb beside the vehicle. The lady who had summoned him from the club occupied the rear seat of the carriage. Opposite her was another woman. Both were veiled. He rightly guessed that they were mistress and servant and therefore bestowed only one quick glance upon the woman whe occupied the front seat The other he regarded earnestly, for an instant only, while he tried in vain to peer through the meshes of her veil. It was an artfully constructed affair,

evidently arranged with an attempt to conceal the fact that it was intended for, a disguise, and yet so cleverly worn that It effectually concealed the features of the wearer. Closely woven and dotted here and there by black spots and doubtless doubled, it was only sufficiently transparent to permit Wyndham to discern two glowing eyes behind it and to guess rather than to see that the face to which they belonged was young and beautiful. Perhaps there was something in her voice which impressed that idea upon him, for he did not remember ever having heard one just like it before or one that suited him quite so welL "Are you Mr. Craig Wyndham?" she asked the moment he approached her. He thought it seemed to him, and yet he was by no means sure that there was a slight touch of accent in the words, such an accent as a young girl for a long time at school abroad might acquire. . "Yes." he replied, "I am Craig Wyndham. I do not think, however, that I have the honor of your acquaintance," he added bluntly. "No." she assented. "I am unknown to you, Mr. Wyndham. Will It serve as sufficient , introduction for the present if I tell yon that I was Mr. Pendleton's friend?" "His friends that is, his real friends may count upon me as a friend, madam," was the diplomatic reply. "Did be never mention- to xnu one,

whose given name is Carmen?" she Inquired next. "Never." "Did he uot tell you about tbe duel In Mexico?" was her next question. "He mentioned it; that is ail. I never heard the particulars." Rhe was silent for a moment then, bnt suddenly she extended one hand tonard him. and he saw that it contained a card. "I will not mystify yon any longer.

Mr. Wyndham," she said. "There Is my card. I have written upon n the name of the hotel where I am stopping. Would you like to bear the particulars of the duel to which I have already referred?" l should, very much indeed." "If you will call upon me this evening, there Is much that I would like to tell you. The woman who is with me now is my servant. She will be present when you csill. but she does not understand a word of English. Will you come?" "Most certainly I will come. Will you name the hour when you will expect me?" "At 8. I have a private parlor, where we can converse undisturbed. Now, one more question. Mr. Wyndbam." He bowed, and she continued: "Do you know of a gentleman who is here from Mexico, by name Escudera?" "I do." "I hope, for tbe present at least that he may not learn of my presence in the city." "Nobody will learn that fact from me. I can assure you of that." "How abrupt and how direct you are, Mr. Wyndham! Too much of both In coping with such a man as Escudera, if you will pardon me for saying it But I did notmean my remark as you understood lu" "Will you tell me what you did mean?" "I will risk offending you and reply. I mean that I doubt very much if you go anywhere without the knowledge of : that man, and therefore I hope that 1 you will see to it tonight that you are I not followed and therefore uneonj Bciously betray me." i For the first time since the Interview ) began Wyndham smiled, j "Thank you." he said. "I confess I ' bad not thought of that possibility, but ! I think I may assure you that Senor Escudera will not know where I call this evening." "Do you speak Spanish, Mr. Wyndham?" she asked quite irrelevantly. "Yes." he replied, still In English; "I j apeak several languages." ! "Then If you will tell my coachman ' to return to the hotel I will be otliged. I gave him other orders when we start ed. He does not understand English." "Does he understand the city sufficiently well to drive you about?" "Quite so, tbank you." Wyndham raised his hat and closed the carriage door; then, having given tbe necessary directions to tbe driver and standing motionless while tbe vehicle rolled away, be turned and reentered tbe club. As he mounted the steps he happened to raise his eyes and. peering at him from one of the windows, was the smiling and hand some face of Carlos Escudera, who nodded at him genially. Wyndbam could barely repress a start of apprehension lest the Mexican had seen and recognized the lady or cne of her servants. It was impossible to determine whether he bad or not but he recalled with sudden emphasis the word of warning that Carmen del Puente had given him. He walked through to the back pat' lor of the club and, having seated himself beside the grate, dropped the card that he still held in his band upon the 'coals and watched it until it had burned to ashes. Then with the poker be destroyed the ashes, punching them down among the glowing embers. As be straightened up in his chair be heard the soft voice of Carlos Escudera behind him. "Have pity on a poor fellow, Wyndham." he said, "and give me the benefit of your society a little while. In my language there is no word which expresses my ' feelings, but In yours there is one which fits it exactly. It la homesickness. Did you ever experience it?" "Often. Take a seat, Don Carlos. Have you an engagement for this evenlng?" "No; nothing." "Then I have an Idea one that will cheer you up, I hope. I will ask two or three others to join us at my rooms, and we will have a game of cards." "That is kind of you, "Wyndham." "I'm not so sure of that You may find tbe evening an expensive luxury." "I'll take my chances of that," replied Escudera, with a grim smile. He was notoriously expert with cards and seldom lost "Suppose we" make the affair an Innovation?" . continued Wyndham reflectively. "It is 3 o'clock now. We Be heard the toft mice of Carlo Eteudcrd behind him. . ! will begin tbe game at 6 precisely and ;

play till G in tbe morning. I can make up a party to do that I'm sure. I'll have my man serve us something good to eat at midnight How does that strike you? "As a good idea." "Very welL Meet me at my rooms at 5. In the meantime I will have made op the party and have everybody on Land at that time." This was agreed to, and the two men parted. Escudera left the club at once, but Wyndham loitered until he had gone and then looked up Biggs, who was In the library. "Carleto," he said, "I want you to do me a very great favor. May I depend upon youT' "Certsntix. Oaic Wamtiait'r.

"1 nave got a party on nana at my rooms for tocight -nd 1 want you to be one of us." "It strikes me that the obligation la oa tbe other side, old man." "Wait You have not heard me through. The party is to convene at 5. At O we are to begiu a game of poker, which is to last until 6 in the morning. I" I didn't know that you went in for that sort of thing, Craig. And you know" "Walt; wast! I know, of course, that you cannot afford such things, and yoa do right In keeping out of them, but this Is an extreme case. I have another engagement for tonight one that la very important one that I must keep and which I desire to remain a mystery. Do you understand an engagement that I do not want anybody to know about, an Important business engagement; understand?" "I begin to yes." "Well, this is what I want you to do. You will understand how thoroughly I trust you. At half past 7 precisely I want you to drive to my door in a four wheeler tbat you will have engaged at Madison square or anywhere, so that it Iz not here at the club. Tay the driver n advance. Tell him to hurry to my door, and tell him when a gentleman comes out and gets Into his vehicle he is to start off at once without a word and drive as fast as his horses can go to tbe corner of Thirtythird street and turn the corner toward Sixth avenue. There, after he has turned the corner, he will pull up until he hears the door of his carriage slam shut, when, without looking around, he will drive on and return to hia atand. wherever that may be. You will give him $5 for hia trouble. He will be glad to do It but be particular to have him do it Just as I have said. My own carriage will be awaiting me, and If anybody tries to follow me that person will have a good time of It What do you think r "Excellent" "Now for the remainder of your Instructions. Rush into my room In the greatest haste, all out of breath, and all that We will be at tbe game. Say something apologetic for Interrupting ua and then whisper something anything la my ear. I will look a mated and a trifle annoyed. I will say aloud. 'At the Waldorfr You will reply: 'Yes, and they are going away In an hour. I knew that you wanted particularly to see them, and I have looked everywhere for you. At last it struck me that you might be here. My cab la at the door. Take that, and yoa will get there in time That ends your part of the scheme. I will ask the others to excuse me important business, won't keep me an hour, and all that, you know, and ask you to take my hand and play for me till I return. You consent, and I'll do the rest Will you do it all, Carleton? I'll never forget it" "You can count on me to the letter, Craig." "I knew I could, nere la some money. I don't know how much, but never mind; don't let anybody see you take it. Remember, half past 7." 0 "I'll be there. Will you be long away?"

three at the mnnt. Pin v mv hand fre I ly. I won't mind if you lose consideraMy to keep them Interested. You understand?" "Yes." "Biggs, you're a trump. I cannot tell you how you have relieved me." After that Wyndham wrote several notes, which he sent out by messenger boys, With instructions to bring replies. They were all in by half past 4 and ! were evidently satisfactory, for Craig Wyndham did not look in the least worried when he left the club and re paired to his own apartments, which, by the way, were the same " that had formerly been occupied by Burr rndleton. The servant who waited upon him there also looked, strangely liko James. However, he answered to the name of Thomas, only that tbe smooth face was covered by a heavy growth of beard dyed black and a perfectly made wig of the same hue. Add to that the fact that he rarely appeared when hia master had company, and you have grasped the situation. He was not, however, the person to whom Wyndbam had referred In his talk with Escudera as "my man," so there was no danger that James would be seen by those who might recognize him. At 5 precisely Don Carlos arrived, and by half past 5 the expected guests were all there. There was a luncheon prepared for them, but all claimed that in anticipation of tbe midnight dinner they had already "stayed their stomachs," so that It went un tasted. At 6 tbe game began, and it proceded merrily Without Interruption for an hour and a half, when the doorbell rang, and an Instant later Carleton Biggs rushed In. He played his part beautifully. There was not a hitch anywhere. Within ten minutes after he entered the room Craig Wyndham left it rushed down tbe one flight of stairs to tbe street, leaped into the carriage and was driven away. And back In tbe parlor of bis apartment the game went on almost without interruption. If Escudera felt annoyance at this sudden departure of the host he gave no sign of it. If there were, as Wyndhtm now suspected, others In his employ on tbe watch to dog tbe footstep of tbe American, they succeeded only in following an empty carriage to Its stand along tbe wtatern side of Madison square, As far Craig, be changed to tbe stooJ vehicle without trouble and at 8 o'clock mr- in the presence of Senorlta del Puente and her duenna, but It waa In a hotel much farther up town than the Waldorf, and if there had been watchers on his track tbey would wait a long time before they conld hope to discover him at that famous hostelry. CHAPTER Till. 90 VE ETARTLI5G EEVEUtTTOJTS. "A" RE you quite sure that you were not followed?" she inquired after their greetings were over. "Quite so. senorlta," replied Wyndham, with a smile. Then in a few words he related all that be had done to obviate such ft possibility, and she laughed heartily at his description, Craig Wyndham had prepared to encounter beauty when he entered the presence of Carmen del Puente, and yet when the reality was before him be was cnascleus of a aheckuet aurnrif e.

FACTS m NATURE.

Hot Only Xo W Get Inspiration Xatorw, But Health s Well. For people who are run-down and nervous, who suffer from Indigestion or dyspetsi headache, biliousness, or torpid fiver, coated tongue with hitter taste iu the morning and poor appetite, ft becomes neoesarv to. turn to some tonic or stretiffthener which will assist Natur and help them to get on their fet ami put the body- into iu proper condition. It is booomiug more and more apparent that Nature's mot valuable health - giving agents are to be f Mind iu forest plants ant root. Nea rl y fcr y y ea r a g o. Dr. R.V. Pierce, now consulting phvsician to the Invalids Motel and Surgical Institute, at Knffal N. Y.. divovered that by scientifically extracting and combining certain medicinal principles from native roots, taken from our American forests, he could produe a medicine which was marvelously eflicient in curing cases of blood disorder and liver and stomach trouble as well a mipr other chronic or lingering ailments, "i'his concentrated extract of Nature's vitality he named "Oolden Medical Discovery." It purine the blood by putt ng the stomach and liver intit real hy condition, thereby helping th digestion and asfimilatidh of food which feeds the blood. Therebv it cures weak stomach, indigestion, torpid liver, or bdloiisness, and kindred derangements. If you have coated tongue, with bitter or bad taste in the morning, frequent headache, feel weak,eaily tired. stitches or pain In side, back gives out easily and aches, belching of cas. constipation, or irregular bowels, feel flashes of heat alternating with chillv sensations or kindred srmptoms. they point to derangement of vour stomach, liver and kidneys, which the "Golden Medical Discoverywill correct more speedily and permanently than any other known agent. Contains no alcohol or habit -forming drug. All iu ingredients printed in plain English on wrapper. The sole motive for substitution is to permit the dealer to make a little mora profit He gains: you lose. Accept no substitute for "Golden Medical Discovery." Constipation causes and aggravate manv serious diseases. It is thoroughly cured by Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets. One a laxative; two or three are cathartic. iseauty in women had never affected him beyond the point of mere admiration, but the earnest steadfast eyes, perfect features and high character that shone In the face of Carmen del Puente awoke Mrae hitherto dormant sense of appreciation within him. Before he had been ten minutes In her presence he felt as if tbey were old friends, as If somehow or somewhere they bad known each other always. There were sincerity, truth, earnestness, high purpose and Indomitable resolution in every expression of her features, in every gesture abe made, and Wyndham, who rarely trusted anybody until that person had been thoroughly tried, felt that he might with complacency put implicit trust In this woman. "We have a long Interview before ua. Mr. Wyndham." she said presently. "I want you to be comfortable and thoroughly at your ease, so I bate taken tbe liberty of providing some very excellent cigars for you to smoke. You need not hesitate. You know, In my country we are accustomed to tobacco smoke. You will be more comfortable if you can waste your temper on the end of a cigar when I say things to annoy or astonish you." He took her at her word without comment They sat opposite each other at one end of tbe room, while tbe duenna remained at the otber, industri ously sewing or knitting or doing drawnwork. Wyndham could not tell which. "I believe our talk was to be about the duel," be began by way of opening. "I think," she replied slowly, "that the duel is only an Incident among many others we are likely to discuss. I told you this afternoon that I was a former friend of Mr. Pendleton. That statement was quite true, though somewhat misleading. I waa his friend, but he did not know It It Is possible that he regarded me in a contrary light It Is strange. If he mentioned tbe duel to you. be did not apeak of roe." "He might have done so, aenorlta, had his life been spared a few hours more. We were to have discussed bis affairs the evening of hia death, but be was murdered before X arrived. "Murdered r She leaped to her feet with flashing eyes and for support grasped the back of tte chair on which she had been seated. For a moment she stood gazing, wide eyed, at Wyndham, and then slowly she reseated herself. "Did you not know that he waa murdered r" asked Wyndham calmly. "No. I knew that he waa dead, of course. Word came to me of that in a letter from this city, but there waa nothing said about, violence." ' "The papers were, full of the affair." Ah, yes. But; suvj news seldom reaches us in Mexico. Murdered! My Cod! It is awful! I should have warned him of his dung?r. I might have done , but I did not regard it as necessary. Tell me about It Mr. Wyndham." "There Is not much that I can tell. The affair la a great mystery. I believe the detectives are still at work upon the case, but only in tbe effort to find a man whom 1 know to be Innocent" "Tell me about It" she repeated. Tell me all you know about It" She uttered the words in the tone of one who has the right to know, and Wyndham. with sudden confidence that was Inexplicable to himself, complied. He related In detail everything that occurred from the moment when be first met Pendleton after his return from Mexico until tbe discovery of tbe body and the sending away of old James in order that be might be suspected. Two things only he omitted be did not mention tbe fact that he suspected Escudera of tbe crime, and he said nothing about his belief that an explanation of tbe motive could be found In the secret matter connected with Pendleton's visit to Mexico. Nor did he refer to that brief Instant when he stood before the dead body of hia friend and glanced back toward tbe open door aa If to measure tbe distance. He had thought then that the weapon was thrown at Its victim from the doorway, but he bad never mentioned that Idea to anybody. Even now be remained silent concerning It She heard him through to tbe end without uttering a word in reply, but when he had finished she said very quietly: "Describe to me again tbe room where yon found him; or, better bare yon a pencil? draw me a diagram of f To Be Continued.) ' nwaMMMBMia Artificial gas, the 2Qa Century fueL . -: JO-tf ,