Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-03-04

Wyndham 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 Wynd-
ham 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 Burr Pendleton.
With the exception that now and
then some incident would recall the
event to the memory of reporter. the
tragedy of which Pendleton was the
victim was almost forgotten.
Even Wyndham himself began to de-
spair of ultimate success, or, rather,
he had about made up his mind to go
to Mexico himself. where he believed
the solution of the affair was located,
when an event occurred which altered
all his plans and which brought things
ultimately to climax.
He was sitting idly in the clubhouse
one afternoon. wearily thinking over
all that had occurred and voring
to decide what was best for him to do
next. when one Of the servants inform
ed him that lady in carriage at the
door wished to speak to him.
He rose wonderingly, for Craig Wynd-
ham was In 10 sense 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 50 utterly unprec-
edented that lie was for the moment
nonplused. However. he obeyed the
summons at once and in another mo-
ment 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 yelled. He rightly
guessed that they were mistress and
servant and therefore bestowed only
one quick glance upon the woman who
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.
1t was an artfully constructed affair,
evidently arranged with an attempt to
conceal the fact that it was intended
| for a disguise. and yet so clevcrly worn
that it cffectually concealed the fea-
lures 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 belong
| ed was young and beautiful.
Perhaps there WAS something in her
voice which impressed that idea upon
him, for he did not remember ever hav-
| ing 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-tlat there
was n slight touch Of accent in the
words, such an accent as Il young girl
| for long time ut school abroad might
acquire.
Yes" he replied, 81 am Craig Wynd-
| ham. | do not think, however. that
have the honor of your acquaintance"
he added bluntly.
,hn
to you, Mr.. Wyndham. Will it serve as
sufficient Introduction for the present
if tell you that was AIr. Pend!cion's
friend?"
Ellis fricnds-that is, his real friends
may count upon me rs Il friend. mad
am" was the diplomatic reply.
"Did he never mention to you one
whose given name Is Carmen!" she
inquired next.
"Never."
"Did he not tell you about the duel
in Mexico?" was her next question.
"He mentioned 1t: that is all. ! never
heard the particulars"
She was silent for a moment then.
hut suddenly she extended one hand to-
ward him and he saw that it contained
| a card.
81 will not mystify you any longer.
Mr.. Wyndham," she said. There Is
my card. have written upon it the
name of the hotel where am stopping.
Would you like to hear the particulars
of the duel to which have already re-
fcrred:"
81 should, very much indeed"
"If YOU will call upon me this even
ing. there is much that would like to
| tell YOU. The woman who Is with me
now Is nv servant. She will be present
when YOU call, but she does not under.
stand a word of English. Will you
come"
"Most certainly will come. VIII
you name the hour when you will ex-
pect me"
"At 8. I have a private parlor, where
we can converse undisturbed. Now.
one more question. Mr.. Wyndham."
He bowed, and she continued:
"Do you know of gentleman who Is
tere from Mexico. by name Escudern"
81 do"
81 hope. for the present at least. that
he may not learn of my presence In the
city"
"Nobody will learn that fact from
me. can assure you Of that
"How abrupt and how direct you
are, Mr.. Wyndham! Too much of both
I'm coming with such n man as Escude-
ra, IL you will pardon me for saying 1t.
But did not mean my remark as you
understood it."
"Will you tell me what you did
meanT
81 will risk offending you and reply.
/ mean that | doubt very much If you
70 anywhere without the knowledge OF
that man. and therefore I hope that
you will see to 1t tonight that you are
not followed and therefore uncon-
sciously betray me-"
For the first time since the Interview
began Wyndham smiled.
"Thank YOU" he said. 81 confess
had not thought of that possibility. but
think may assure you that Senor
Escudera will not know where ! call
this evening""
"DO you speak Spanish, MIR. Wynd'
hamY' she asked quite irrelevantly.
"Yes." he replied. still In English; Il
speak several languages"
"Then II you will tell my coachman