Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-05-10

prophesied, followed by three men, the
| foremost OF whom was Escudera.
Il have taken the liberty OF bringing
| these gentlemen with me-" he said,
with the utmost suavity and polite
| ness, because they are able to SUBJ
stantiRte what 1 have to say. 1 have
very grave charge to make, Mr.. Dis
| trict Attorney"
BE seated, gentlemen" was the re-
ply, not less suave than the introduc-
ton. What Is the charge, Mr.. Romero,
and whom does 1t concernP'
| Pardon me, sir. Ny name is Escu-
dera. Romero is the family name OF
my mother"
"Ah, yesl Well, what is the charge
| and whom does Ii concernT"
THE charge, sir, Is murder. It con-
Germs a prominent citizen Of this city,
one Craig Wyndham, who, have
strong reasons to believe, murdered
his friend, Burr Pendleton."
"WhatP' cried the district attorney,
evidently astonished out of his official
calm. THE Pendleton case? Craig
Wyndhem the murderer Impossiblew
"You viii believe it to be more than
probable, sir, when you have heard all
that have to tell you"
The district attorney rang the bell
sharply and when the clerk appeared
said:
"Send in my stenographer" Then to
Escudera he added: You make q grave
| accusation, Mr-er-Escudera. Not a
word Of the evidence you have to give
shall be lost"
[ The stenographer appeared at once,
and then he added, "Now, sir, begin'
| Il arrived in New York from Mexico
one day in advance of Mr.. Pendleton,
whom had known In the City Of Mex
leo. l performed few slight services
for him there, and we became warm
friends. l had announced to him my
intention of visiting New York, and
he gave me card of introduction ct
bis club, so 1 presented it at once.
was in the club when he arrived, and
saw him meet Wyndham on the steps
outside. They went to a quiet corner
together and talked for a long time.
hPresenty I walked past them, and
Pendleton, recognizing me, rose at once.
We left the club together within a few
moments of that time"
| why did you go out Of the clubY"
asked the official.
AT his request He wished me TO
go to his rooms with him, for no other
reason, 1 think, than that we might talk
together uninterruptedly."
Had you business togetherT'
None whatever. think that Pen
dleton wished to get away from Wynd-
In ~,
"Ah, see"
Il remained In his rooms about or
nearly an hour. he agreed to meet me
at the club again that night. / then
went TO my hotel"
What time did you leave the club
to go to Pendleton's roomsT"
"a little after g."
What time were you to meet at the
club again?''
There was no definite time - that
evening. He did not come. called at
his rooms the following morning, but,
receiving no answer to my summons.
went away. / did not know of his
death until 1T was announced In the
! newspapers"
"Then how do you connect Wynd-
ham with the crimeY'
"Wyndham went to Pendleton's
rooms the same evening that l was
there. but about O'Clock. He was
there more than an hour. While he
was there Pendleton's valet came out
and went away. He was sobbing, and
he appeared greatly frightened. Some
time after he had gone Wyndham came
out. He paused on the steps and look
ed carefully around him. His face
was very white, and he seemed to fear
to be seen. He soon started I'D the
street and turned the first corner he
came to-"
"How do you know all this, Mr.. Es-
cudera?'
pardon me. I have unconsciously
given the testimony OF these gentle
men who are with me. Personally
do not know It"
The district attorney wheeled like q
fash upon the others.
Were you watching Mr.. Wynd-
ham~ he demanded sharply.
mot watch
What is your nameT interrupted
the official.
Juan, or John, Rodriguez"
/ "And yoursT turning to the remain
Ing witness.
Emilio Bustamente."
Nov, Mr.. Rodriguez, proceed"
1--WE were not watching him In the
sense that you use the term, but we
were watching for him."
How was tbatY
I'VE were passing the house when he
entered it Bustamente believed he
recognized In him an old friend for
whose address he had vainly sought.
BE accordingly inquired Of the hallboy
for that friend, but was told that no
such person lived there"
"What is the name Of your friend,
Mr.. Bustamente?"
John Cuthbert," replied Bustamente
promptly. "He is an Englishman."
Proceed, Mr.. Rodriguez"