Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-05-10
CHAPTER III.
THE GRAVE CHARGE OF MURDER.

as straightforward and honest then as
he was with Burr Pendleton the night
when he took him on horseback to the
dueling ground.
Before leaving the hotel Craig in
structed him not on any account to
leave the apartments of his mistress,
and at the desk down stairs he gave
explicit instructions that Carmen was
to be denied to all callers, no matter
what name was given. After that he
felt easier, for now he also feared that
the enraged Mexican might attempt a
summary vengeance upon the sister Of
Burr Pendleton.
From there he went directly to the
district attorney, who, fortunately, was
personal friend and had stood In the
same relation to Burr, and to him he
related the whole story In detail be-
hind closed doors.
BE omitted nothing. he began at
the moment of his meeting with Burr
after his arrival from Mexico and told
of every incident that had occurred
which could in any way relate to the
crime. He graphically explained the
discovery OF the body, the consterna-
ton of James, his own deep perpIextty,
but also the absolute certainty he felt
in his own mind Of the innocence of
the valet. He related how he himself
when boy had passed many months
In Mexico and had witnessed the knife
throwing exhibitions that are frequent
~ held there; how It had occurred to
him that this Mexican might have
thrown the knife. and that when he
more minutely examined the position
of the body and the position OF the
knife the suspicion became n certainty.
Then he told how utterly hopeless
had seemed to him then the possibility
OF fixing the crime upon Escudera IL
he were at once accused, but that he
believed IL he could for the time being
cause suspicion to rest upon another
and thus allay the fears OF the guilty
one he thought it might be accomplish
ed.
He explained how and why he had
sent James away and admitted that
the valet was at that moment I'm his
own rooms awaiting gladly arrest or
anything else that would lift from his
shoulders the burden of constantly liv-
Ing lie, and then he told enough OF
the family history OF the Pendletons to
make his point He explained the pres
ence OF Carmen In the city and told as
much OF what she had told him as was
necessary, and finally he described the
scene In the restaurant and told how
this same man had attempted to as
sassinate him by the throwing of a
knife.
THAT knife" he concluded, els the
exact counterpart, so far as the hilt is
concerned, OF the one that took the
life OF Burr Pendleton. I have II with
me. II you will produce the other, we
VIII compare them, for have not the
slightest doubt of the result"
The district attorney sent his CLERK to
the cabinet for the weapon with which
Pendleton was killed. They were plac-
ed side by side and found, as Craig had
prophesied, to be precisely alike.
There is still another test TO be an
Piled" continued Craig. people who
are adept in the art OF knife throwing
are most particular regarding the
weight Of their weapons. The more ex-
pert the thrower the more particular
he is regarding this point I have
known them to file away substance
from one in order to make 1t weigh pre-
cisely like the model from which IL was
made, so that placed upon either side
OF delicate scales they would perfectly
balance. Send for an apothecary's
scales and let us test these. If they do
not weigh alike to a hair, miss my
guess
The scales were sent for, and they
proved that Wyndham was correct.
You have strong case" said the
district attorney. 1T is clrcumstantial
but 1t is strong. will have this man
arrested on your complaint"
There are two others who are ac-
completes, who are accessories before
and after the fact-Juan Rodriguez and
Emilio Bustamente. They are In the
city, but do not know where"
I'VE will find them,' replied the Off
Ger. at will be strange If we cannot
get state evidence out of one of them"
They were interrupted at that mo-
ment by the entrance Of a clerk, who
laid card on the desk before the dis
trict attorney.
SHOW him in in exactly FIVE min
utes," said the official to the clerk, and
when the door had closed he added to
Wyndham: Were In luck. Your Mex
lean friend Is outside, and unless am
greatly mistaken he has his two friends
with him, for he can only have applied
to me for one reason"
ITO charge me with the crime"
Precisely. Step behind that screen,
Craig, and take a seat. Don't sneeze
or cough or betray your presence, in
any manner, and you shall hear how I
finish with this man. Wait just a mo-
ment. You have a minute or two to
spare before John brings them in"
he drew pad of paper toward him
and wrote rapidly. When he finished,
he passed the sheet to Wyndham, and
this is what he read:
Have warrants issued Immediately for Carlos de
Escudera y Romero Juan Rodriguez ard Emilio
Bustamente. charged by this Office with the muir
or Of De- NlaNaw a.. A.