Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-04-26
CHAPTER VII.
wYNDHAMs GAME OF DOUBLES


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 a reporter, the
tragedy Of which Pendleton was the
victim was almost forgotten.
Even Wyndham himself began to de
Epair 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
ell his plans and which brought things
ultimately to a climax
BE was sitting Idly In the clubhouse
one afternoon. YEARLY thinking over
all that had occurred and endeavoring
to decide what was best for him to do
next, when one OF the servants inform
ed him that lady In a carriage at the
door wished to speak to him.
he rose wonderingly, for Craig Wynd-
ham was In no sense a ladies' man. He
never sought their society and. in fact,
avoided thpm when be could. That
one should drive to the clubhouse door
and ask for him was so utterly unprec-
edented that he 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 ald therefore bestowed only
enc 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 disguise. and yet so cleverly worn
that 1t effectually concealed the fea-
lures OF the wearer. Closely woven
and dotted here and there by black
spots and doubtless doubled, 1t was
only sufficiently transparent to permit
Wyndham to discern two glowing eyes
behind 1t 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 II before or one
that suited him quite so well.
Are you Mr.. Craig WyndhamT she
asked the moment he approached her.
de thoughtful seemed to him, and vet
he was by no means sure-that there
was slight touch of accent in the
words, such an accent as a young girl
for a long time at school abroad might
acquire.
yes" he replied, "I am Craig Wynd-
nam. do not think, however, that 1
nave the honor of your acquaintance"
he added bluntIy.
No." she assented. 'T am unknown
to you, Mr.. Wyndham. VIII 1t serve as
sufficient introduction for the present
II tell you that was Mr.. Pendleton's
friendY"
His friends-that is, his real friends
may count upon me as a friend, mad
am," was the diplomatic reply.
did he never mention to you one
whose given name is CarmenP she
inquired next
Never"
did he not tell you about the duel
in Mexico?" was her next question.
He mentioned It; that is all. / never
heard the particulars"
She was silent for q moment then.
but suddenly she extended one hand to-
ward him. and he saw that 1t contained
a card.
Il will not mystify you any longer,
Mr.. Wyndham," she said. There is
my card. | have written upon Ii the
name OF the hotel where am stopping.
Would you Ike to hear the particulars
or the duel to which I have already re-
fcrred?"
Il should, very much indeed.~
IF you will call upon me this even
ing, there is much that 1 would like to
tell you. The woman who is with me
now is my servant. She will be present
stand word Of English. Will you
comeT
= "AIost certainly I will come. Will
you name the hour when you will ex-
pect meH
AT 8. have 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
Eere from Mexico, by name Escudera?"
II do"
u hope, for the present at least, that
he may not learn OF my presence in the
city"
Nobody will learn that fact from
one. can assure you OF that"
"How abrupt and how direct you
are, Mr.. ,Wyndhaml Too much Of both
In COMING With aun6 -.