Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-02-25
first tally In the score that he intended
IN mako apa inst the Meyicau

first tally In the score that he intended
to make against the Mexican.
Refreshments and cigars were order
ed and two hours passed while the
men conversed upon every subject that
either could think to introduce, and at
last It was the stranger who suggested
that the hour was so late that there
was small chance that Pendleton would
appear at the club that night.
It was Wyndham's suggestion that
they should go out together, and they
strolled alonr the avenue side by side
as far as the hotel where the Mexican
was stopping. After that Wyndham
returned. to the club and. finding a
number OF congenlal friends engaged
at one Of IL card tables. played with
| them until : Wight.
1t was rarely that he did such a
thing. but that night he had especial
reasons for it. and never had he ap-
geared to better advantage or played
the game with more scrupulous care.
Always during the game it seemed
to him that he could see his friend as
he saw him in the sleeping room of his
apartment sitting dead in the chair In
the corner, and at such moments death
ly faintness stole ever him, which re-
Quired all his strength OF will to con-
quer.
He knew that he was incurring
deadly risk in acting as he had done,
for If it should appear that he had been
to Pendleton's rooms suspicion, which
might in any case attach to him, would
in the minds Of many take the form OF
certainty.
Still for the plan that he had formed
during the few moments when he stood
by the window while James wept near
him he was pursuing the only logical
course. He felt that he must take the
chances.
What nervous force he was compelled
to exert in order not 10 manifest the
perturbation lie felt during those hours
Of the night nobody but himself could
ever know. and when he left the club
in the full light Of the early morning
in the company Of one of his compan-
ions in the game it brought the first
moment of relief he had had from the
terrible strain.
At his own door he left his friend
and, saying that he would get two or
three hours sleep. entered the house
where he lived. He knew that he was
in position to prove an alibi for every
hour that had passed since he parted
with Pandleton except those that were
really the most vital-between > and
10 o'clock tue preceding evening-and
for those he must trust to nerve and
chance in case the question should
arise.
AS soon as he was in his own room
he carefully examined the papers that
he had taken from the safe and in the
interest he felt in them for the time
partially forgot the awful reason fol
the examination.
From them he selected several which
he concealed. The others he destroyed.
But after he had bathed and refreshed
himself, thus destroying all outward
appearance of the effect Of the events
Of the past night upon him, lie return
ed TO the club for his breakfast.
He had found among the papers the
key to many things that he did Mt I'M
derstand. and lie felt certain that Il.
soon as he could have protracted talk
with old James he would be enabled to
see his way clearly before him. The
mystery by which Pondleton was sur.
rounded was beginning 10 unfold.
AT the club he NET Carleton B!ggS, Il
character whose prototype may be
found in almost every club OF ruini-
nence in New York. They belong to
the has becns" in that they are among
the oldest members. are always servin.
on some committee and have irom
some mysterious source income sutti
cient to pay their dues and purchase
an occasional meal. But they are nj
ways ready to accept an invitation TO
breakfast or dine and regard their
abilities TO entertain as sufficient equiv
alent for the favor. More than that
they are ever ready to perform any
slight gentlemanly service which vii!
place one Of their benefactors under
obligations to repeat the invitation 1T
the first opportune moment. Nynd'
ham desired Biggs to perform just such
a service for him. and for that reason
invited him to take breakfast.
When they had lighted their cigars.
Wyndhmn put out his feeler
'By Jover he said. 1T Is too bad
that Pendleton has not come in. DID
you see him last night, Carleton:"
mo. l heard that he was back. but
did not see him."
"de was to meet me here during the
evening and did not come. Then !
supposed he would blow in for lis
breakfast. l really ought to get word
to him before go down town, and yet
| haven't the time. III have to write
q line and send 1t down by a messen-
ger boy"
Biggs fidgeted an instant In his chair
and then took the bait.
"Im going down that way presently"
he said. II had 1t in mind to drop in
and see Burr anyway, so If l can carry
a message for you, old man
"Would you? That is just the thing.
It will be a great favor, Carleton. II
you will take the trouble"
mo trouble at all. l intended to stop
there anyhow, you know. VIII you
write the message. or shall'-
Certainly not. Just tell him that
1t is very important that he should
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