Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-12-05
CHAPTER I.
REPAIRING FOR THE DUEL.


lighted wax match his valet
offered him. applied it to the end of his
cigar, looked again into the mirror that
extended from floor to ceiling and be-
gan lcisurely to draw on his gloves.
Beneath the coat he had so carefully
buttoncd across his ample chest he was
faultlessly attired. Faultlessness in all
things was Burr Pendlcton's chiefest
hobby among many, and on this par
ticular occasion he had been more i'm
Fortunate than usual The reason was
Dbvious to the man who waited upon
him and whose attentions, always
strictly correct. were on this occasion
imbued with q touch Of indescribable
tenderness
as there anything more, sir?" he In
uuired, stepr g backward two or
three PAGES and regarding his employ
pr-master would be a more appropri-
nte term in this casc-wth glance
that was almost rcycrental.
Nothing. James-ah, yes. the case or
pistols" was the Indifferent reply.
Twill you not permit me to take
them to you, sir?" asked the valet ca
gerly.
mo. I will take the case with me.
You are to remain here. james, and on
no account leave these rooms until
return or until some accommoda ting
friend calls to tell you that / am not
likely to do so"
IF the matter were to be settled at
fence sir. instead of with pistols,
should feel better, but
| An impcrious gesture Interrupted
further remark by the servant. and
moment later Burr Pendleton said
quietly:
perhaps you had better fill my cigar
case, James. may not have enough
with me. On the table in my dressing
room you will find several letters that
have written during the day. If do
not return-that is. if | am not here by
noon tomorrow-you will see that they
are delivered, l refer, of course, to
such Of them as can be delivered. The
others you will post. Among them Is
one for yourself but on no account are
YOU to open it before II o'clock tomor-
row, or we Will say quarter past -.
how IHuCH Teduy inoucS nave sou az
hand. James"
Something over $1,000 in American
money, sir. 1t is In the secretary.
Shall get it for you?"
mo. no. do not want it. In the
event Of your reading the letter to
which have referred it will tell you
Just what to do. The amount you have
viii be sufficient for your expenses, l
think. That is all. believe. No; there
is one thing more"
Yes, sir"
among the letters you will find one
addressed to Mr.. Craig Wyndham.
think | would prefer that you should
deliver that in person, James. ! have
remembered everything else in the let
ter to you. What time is it? Half
past S? ! will be late at the opera"
"And you will not return here after
the opera, sir:"
"No: at least not before tomorrow
The meeting is to be at 5 in the morn
ing. l am booked for supper at the
Concordia at |. and it will be OF
whereabouts before we break up. Cap
tain Agramonte is to be one of the
party, and doubtless we will go to tho
shooting gallery in San Felipe Neri aft
erward if there is any time to spare
After that
The abrupt pause was suggestive
and tears gathered in the eyes of tn,
valet. For a moment he remained
irresolute; then be stepped suddcnl!
forward and extended his right hanC
toward his master.
"You will forgive me- sir" he sale
TREMENDOUSLY, but things would be cas-
Ter for me during the next few hour'
If you would shake hands with ole
James. Begging your pardon for thu
impertinence, Mr.. Burr, you could no
be dearer to me if you We're my owl
son. VIII you shake hands with me
sir, before you go out"
Burr Pendleton gIasped the valet
hand firmly in his own.
Dear old Jimmy" he said, "did 20,
mink | would go away without doin,
Mat? You are not about to funk, ar
you, Jim? Just feel how steady m,
nerve Is, eh? Not a tremor, James
There really isn't anything about th
natter TO give you the doldrums, yol
know. 1t Is true that Romero Is note'
suelist and that he numbers some yer,
good men among his victims, but
don't think am billed for eternity Jus
yet You may expect me here a littl
before noon tomorrow, but IL | do no
rome you must make the best OF it an,
see that my Instructions are carried GU
TO the letter"
"You may trust me to do that, sir"
Il know 1t, James. If things end haT
pily-fo- me-we will leave Mexico 70
home tomorrow night. Good night
Jimmy"
God bless you, SIR"
The door opened and closed, an
James was alone. but long time pass
ed before be moved from his positio
In the middle Of the floor. and only Co
and himself knew what words he whis
pered during those moments of silen
agony.
1t was true that Burr Pendleton ha
an engagement Mt the opera that even
ing, but it is also true that he had n
intention Of going directly from Iii
rooms in the Hotel Clio to the theatel
The idea Of being late in keeping hi
engagement to hear the divine Patt
did not ANAL him and inGtaoI N