Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-12-12

CHAPTER ".

w. from the body OF MS 1rlenu
that he was dead. He saw
in that fractional part of an instant
the cause of death. With a swiftness of
which he was himself unconscious lie
turned and seized James, drew him
from the room and closed the door al
most before the valet was aware of the
awful thing that had confronted them.
Then, while the strong and relentless
arm of his masters friend drew him
into the parlor. his old knees began to
trenble and threaten to give way be-
meath him, SO that when at last they
were in the center of the room, under
meath the chandelier he was weeping
md was devoid of what 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 U.S. sir, do not know"
was the reply. "Let US go to him.
"No. Remain here. There is no use
to go to him now. He is dcad-Quite
dead. Before others are Informed of
this you must answer some questions
for me. After that will tell you what
IS best to do. Can you control your
self. James? Hcrc-take some of this
brandy. If ever you loved Mr.. Pen
dleton, show it by keeping your wits
about you now. Are you sure that it
was half past ) when Mr.. Pendleton
returned"
positive, sir
"Whr so positive?"
because the clock on the mantel
bad ll0pped, sir. ] asked Mr.. Burr for
the correct time so that l could set it,"
WAS he alone?'
"No. sir. There was gentleman
with him"
"Who was it? Did you know him?"
81 knew his face. sir, but not his
name. l have seen him on the street
in the City of Mexico
Describe hm-or, rather, let me try.
I believe that l have seen him also.
Not as tall as Mr.. Pendleton, eh?
Quite handsome. Black mustache,
black eyes, complexion rather pale for
one with such dark eyes and hair.
Does that answer"
'Perfectly, sir"
"Now tell me what they did when
they came here together"
That do not know, Mr.. Wyndham.
l did not hear the stranger utter
word. He seated himself in that chair
while MIR. Burr went into the room
where-where you found him, sir. He
came out again a moment later with a
bundle Of papers that looked like let
ters in his hand. Then he sent me from
the room. Presently he rang for me
and ordered some brandy, whichI sCrv-
ed and again left the room. Nearly IN
hour later heard the bell again. Mr..
Burr was alone then, although ! am
sure that | did not hear the stranger
when he left the apartment My mas
tor told me what clothes he desired to
wear tonight and said that he wished
to rest little while. He then went
into his sleeping room and closed the
door and | went out to attend to COM
mission he had given me. ! was not
away from the house more than TWEEN
ty minutes, sir, and when | returned
was surprised to discover that | had
left the door which communicates with
the hallway on the latch. 1t was not
open, sir, but it was not latched, and
was quite sure that ! had closed it
when | went out. My idea was that
Mr.. Pendleton had remembered some
thing else that he wanted and had gone
to the door to call me back, but that
did not hear him. That is all, slr-Intil
you came. That is all | know"
The old servant could restrain him
self no longer, but sank into chair,
buried his face in his hands and wept.
Wyndham STROBE to the window and
let the old man sob on UNDECIDED, while
he drummed with the ends Of his fin
gers upon the pane and stared into the
darkness.
When James sohs ceased, Craig
Wyndham turned back into the room
and, placing one hand gently upon the
old mans shoulder, spoke kindly, but
with an intensity that had an instant
effect. The power Of the man shone in
his eyes at that moment, and, although
his face was pale and drawn he was
OutN ulhis 40 calm as IL DOluluS uDlU-
ward had occurred.
James" he said, Il believe you loved
your master very dearly"
las If lie We're my own son, sir or
more perhaps. / never had son, so
] do not know"
You would sacrifice much for him,
would you not, James,"
Everything. sr-life itself. If that
could do any good"
You loved his father also, James,"
with all my heart, sir"
would you be willing, James in or.
der that justice may be done not only
to your dead master, but to his fathers
memory, and for the sake of the family
name, to permit a great shadow to fall
upon you for timef"
81 don't know what you mean, SIR
replicd James humbly. II only know
that | am willing to do anything that
I can do If IN doing it can serve him. "
Il believe you, James. Now, listen
closely to what have to say. Noul
master is dead and by the act of an
assassin. A great crime has been com
mitted and that crime is the result of
events that happened long ago | know
something of the history that led to