The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-01-24
CHAPTER I,

oHefed MIN, applied 1t to the end Of b
cigar, looked ,gain into the mirror tn,
extended from floor to ceiling and b.
gan leisurcly to draw on his gloves.
Beneath the coat he had so CAREFUL
buttoned across his ample chest he wa
faultlessly attired. Faultlessness in a
things was Burr Pendleton's chiefes
hobby among many. and on this pal
tlculnr occasion he had been more In
n"rtnnate than usual. The reason wa
obvious to the man VINO wui,r,. ui,v
him and whose attentions, Away
strictly correct, were on this occasion
imbued with touch of indescribabl'
tenderness.
| rs there anything more, sir?" he in
CURED, stepping backward two OF
three PAGES and regarding his employ
er-mnstcr would be more appropri
ate term in this case-with glance
that was almost rcverential.
Nothing, James-ah, yes, the case Of
pistols" was the Indifferent reply.
| "Will you not permit me to take
them to you, sir?" asked the valet Gu.
gerly.
mo. will take the case with me.
You are to remain here, James, and OIL
no account leave these rooms until l
return or until some accommodating
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, l
should feel better, but
An imperous gesture interrupted
further remark by the servant, and u
moment later Burr Pendleton said
quietly:
perhaps you had better fill my cigar
case, james. l 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. II | am not here by
noon tomOrlUw-you willsee 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 OH no account are
you to open It before IL o'clock tomor-
row, or we will say quarter past IL.
How much ready money have you at
hand, james,"
Something over $4,000 in American
money, sir. 1t Is in the secretary.
Shall get it for you:"
"No. no. do not want it. In the
event of your readins the letter to
which lave referred it will tell you
just what to do. The amount you have
will he sufficient for your expenses,
think. That is all, believe. No; there
Is one thing more"
Eyes, sir"
Among the letters you will find one
addressed to Mr.. Craig Wyndham.
think l would prefer that you should
deliver that in person, James. l have
remembered everything else in the let
ter to you. What time is it? Half
past s? ! wir>he late at the opera"
"And you will not return here after
the opera, sIr!'
mo; at least not before tomorrow.
The meeting is to be ut 6 in the morn
Ing. l am booked for supper at the
Concordia at /. and II will be 4 or
whereabouts before we break up. Cap
tain Agramontc is to be one of the
party. and doubtless We will go to the
shooting gallery in San Felipe Neri aft-
crward II there is any time to spare.
After that
The abrupt pause was suggestive,
and tears gathered In the eyes of the
valet. For a moment he remained
irrcsolute; then he stepped suddenly
forward and extended his right hand
toward his master.
You will forgive me. sir" he said
TREMENDOUSLY, but things would be cas-
Ter for me during the next f'w hours
II you would shake hands with old
James. Begging your pardon for the
impcrtinencc, Mr.. Burr. you could not
he dearpr to me If you were my own
son. VIII you shake hands with me,
sir before you go out"
Burr Pendleton graspcd the Wallets
hand firmly in his own.
Dear old Jimmy" he said, did you
think ] would 60 away without doing
that? You are not about to funk, are
you. Jim? Just feel how steady my
nerve Is. eh? Not tremor. james.
There reilly isn't anything about this ,
matter to give you the doJrl1ns you
know 1t is true that Romero is noted {
'uelist and that he numbers some very I
good men among his victims, but / s
lon't think am billed for eternity Just [
vet. You may expect me here a little 6
'efore noon tomorrow. but If do net c
'ome you must make the best Of it aud +
zee that my Instructions are carried out !,
o the letter."
You may trust me to do that. SIR" n
Il know II, James. II things end hap
'ily-for mezzwe viii leave Mexico for II
ome tomorrow night. Good night, n
immy." n
God bless you, SIR"
The door opened and closed. and
anes was alone. but q long time pass
d before he moved from his position
the middle Of the floor, md only God 4,
nd himself knew what words he wills
cred during those moments of silent
gony. n,
1t was true that Burr Pendleton bad ey
n engagement at the opera r,IaI e, Ell -,
lg, but II is also true that he had no :.
ltention Of going directly from his ~
ooms in the Hotel Clio to the thcater. "
he idea Of being late In keeping his u,
lgagemcnt TO hear the divine Patti
ID not appall him, and instead Of at
alkng thc short distance along the W
inco de Mayo TO the Teatro Nacional ~
, signaled to blue flag carriage gave fn