Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-01-15
i. by Frederic Van Renss elaer Day.

case I should not be able to return at
all. which. | confess, seemed at one
time more than likely, and I thought II
l did not come back 1t would be time
enough to tell you when I arrived. as
it is."
Craig Wyndham calmly lighted 8
fresh cigar before he ventured com
ment on the statement Of his friend
then, rather to Pendleton's surprise
he did not refer directly to the subject
Instead he asked quietly:
"Had it to do with the business tha,
took you there?"
"Not at all, not at all, assure you"
"Then won't you tell me about the
business. The duel can wait"
81 can tell you about the business In
two words-I succeeded"
"Then you are glad you went"
"Most certainly. The fact Is, Craig
l should have gone there long ago or
sent you, as talked of doing. think
the trip has been good for me in more
ways than one. 1t surely has per.
formed one miracle, for have discov-
cred that still have left sufficient en-
ergy to do things If only work myself
up to the proper pitch. I left this Mex
lean business altogether too long.
| should have attended to 1t Immediately
after the death Of the gov'nor. It
would have been easier and better. and
l think the people down there would
have understood things better. How
ever, fancy it is all right now."
"You fancy? thought you said you
had succeeded"
$50 Unexpectedly. entirely. ut,
terly, in every way but one, and that
one is apparently unimportant. l have
brought back a mystery. and hate
mysteries. as you know"
"Is the mystery connected with the
business?"
Eyes and no.
''That reply is ambiguous, Burr. OF
course I possess ordinary curiosity.
Naturally would like to hear all about
all that you will tell me, but you must
remember that was left in ignorance
Of many points In this affair Of yours,
and l do not like to ask questions"
Pendleton waited moment before
replying. Then he tossed away his ci-
gar and took a turn up and down the
room. Reseating himself, he said
slowly:
Briefly, then, 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 l have felt that ought to
take this trip. and you also know that
the only reason why did not do SO
was my own consummate laziness.
wanted you to 60 there for me, and
you consented to do so. But, Craig,
could not bring myself to tell you oil
that was necessary for you to know
If you had undertaken the trip simply
because | asked it. would have felt
that | was not keeping faith with my
dead father You knew or ought to
have known. and. 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
gov'nor left for me-you remember tina
/ did not get home until three days aft
er his death-imposed the obligation o.
silence up3n me with considerable
emphasis; tl:at is, silence up to Ger
tain point after which l could, O.
course, exercise my own discretion
That point could not be reached until
had made q personal investigation,
thing that he practically ordered me t.
do. Well, have made it. The obliga
ton of silence is upon me no longer.
can see no reason for keeping still now
In fact, the time has come when mus
tell somebody. and naturally you ar
the one whom have selected for con
fidant. More than that, feel tie neet
Of advice and help. and you are the on
ly one | know to whom | am Willing
to apply. There is not time and this Ii
no place for me to 20 into details, bu
If you will give up this evening to mt
in my rooms-wcll, we'll have 1t out II
the end 1t is q mighty strange thing
Craig, that man can leave behint
him when he dies tangle which In
wolves two families and which may ye
involve two nations In trouble, but tina
Is precisely what my father did. No
only that, but l have permitted thes'
years since his death to roll past, neve
dreaming that the matter could taxi
the serious shape it has. l regard my
self as rather a guilty party as things
are situated now. for cannot help be
lieving if | had attended to matters q
once much that is now unavoidable
might have been prevented. | believed
the old man was dcceived-that he i'm
agned great deal. but found-well
wait until tonight, and will tell yo'
what discovered"
81 think, old man." said Wyndhan
deliberately, while he drummcd th
burning end of his cigar upon the asl
receiver--"l think that perhaps. having
returned from long trip and bein;
naturally delighted upon meeting al
old friend. you may be inclined L
place too much confidence in him. LIE
us revert to the part Of the business
that understood before you wen
away. which. as | remember, related
only to property. Did you find tn
property that your father directed yo'
to recover! Have you brought back tin
title to 1t, so that it is undeniabl!
yours? Have you fulfilled that part o