Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-03-11
CHAPTER VIII.
SOME STARTLING REVELATIONS
~ FREDERIC VAN RENSSELAER, DEY.

CHAPTER VIII.
SOME STARTLING REVELATIONS
III RE you quite sure that you
~ IA were not followed?" she in
auired after their greetings
were over.
"Quite 80. senorita," replied Wynd-
ham, with smile.
Then in q few words he related all
that he had done to obviate such pos
sibility, and she laughed heartily at his
description.
Craig Wyudham had prepared to en-
counter beauty when he entered the
presence Of Carmen del Puente, and
yet when the reality was before him he
was conscious Of a shock Of surprise.
Beauty in women had never affected
him beyond the point Of mere admira-
ton, but the earnest, steadfast eyes.
perfect features and high character
that shone in the face Of Carmen del
Puente awoke some hitherto dormant
sense Of appreciation within him. Be-
fore he had been ten minutes in her
presence he felt as II they were old
friends, as II somehow or somewhere
they had known each other always.
There were sincerity, truth, earnest
ness, high purpose and indomitable res
olution in every expression Of her fea-
lures, In every gesture she made, and
Wyndham. who rarely trusted anybody
until that person had been thoroughly
tried, felt that he might with COM
placency put implicit trust in this wo-
man.
I'VE have long interview before US,
Mr.. Wyndham." she said presently. II
want you to be comfortable and thor
oughiy at your ease, so l have taken
the liberty of providing some very ex-
cellent cigars for you to smoke. You
need not hesitate. You know, In my
country we are accustomed to tobacco
smoke. You will be more comfortable
If you can snste your temper ON the
end Of a cigar when l say things to
annoy or astonish you"
He took her at her word without
comment. They sat opposite each 9TH
er at one end Of the room, while the
duenna remained at the other. industri-
ously sewing or knitting or doing
drawnwork. Wyndham could not tell
which.
81 believe our talk was to be about
the duel" he began by way of opening.
81 think" she replied slowly. that
the duel is only an incident among
many others we are likely to discuss.
told you this afternoon that l was
q former friend Of Mr.. Pendleton.
That statement was quite true, though
somewhat misleading. l was his friend.
but lie did not know 1t. 1t is possible
that he regarded me in contrary light.
1t is strange. II he mentioned the duel
to you. he did not speak of me-"
"He might have done 50, senorita.
had his life been spared few hours
more. We were to have discussed his
affairs the evening Of his. death, but
he was murdered before arrived"
Murdered"
She leaped to her feet with flashing
eyes and for support grusped the back
Of the chair on which she had been
seated. For moment she stood gaz-
ing wide eyed, ut Wyndham. and then
slowly she reseated herself.
did you not know that lie was muir
dered?" asked Wyndham calmly.
mo. l knew that he was dead, Of
course. Word came to nae Of that in q
letter from this city. but there was
nothing said about violence"
"The papers were full of the affair"
"Ah, yes. But such news seldom
reaches us In Mexico. Murdered! My
God! 1t is awful! should have warn
ed him of his danger. l might have
done 80, but did not regard it as nee
essary. Tell me about 1t. Mr.. Wynd-
ham,"
There Is not much that can tell.
The affair Is q great mystery. l believe
the detectives are still at work upon
the case, but only in the effort to find
a man whom know to be innocent"
Tell me about It." she repeated.
"Tell me all you know about It."
She uttered the words In the tone OF
one who has the right to know. and
Wyndham. with sudden confidence
that was ineXplicable to himself. COM
piled. He related In detail everything
that occurred from the moment when
he first met PendletOn after his return
from Mexico until the discovery Of the
body and the sending away. OF old
James in order that he might be sus-
pected Two things only he omitted
he did not mention the fact that he
suspected Escudera of the crime, and
he said nothing about his belief that
an explanation Of the motive could be
found In the secret matter connected
with Pendletons visit to Mexico. Nor
did he refer to that brief instant when
he stood before the dead body Of his
friend and glanced back toward the
open door as il to measure the dis
tance. He had thought then that the
weapon was thrown at Its victim from
the doorway. but he had never men,
toned that idea to anybody. Even
now he remained silent concerning II.
She heard him through to the end
without uttering a word in reply, but
when he had finished she said very
quietly:
Describe to me again the room
where you found him; or, better-have