The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-01-30
CUNNING AGAINST CUNNING.


KA1G WYNDHAM discovered
while he was still several feet
w. from the body of his friend
that he was dead lie saw
in that fractional part of an instant
the cause Of death. With swftncss of
which he was himself unconscious he
turned and seized James, drew him
from the room aud closed the door nj
most before the valet was aware of the
awful thing that had confronted them.
Then, while the strong and relentless
arm Of Ills masters friend drew him
into the parlor, his old knees began to
trcmblc and threaten to give way be-
meath him, so that when at last they
were in the center of the room, under
meath the chandelier, he was weeping
and was devoid Of what little strength
he had possessed.
"iour master is dead, James. Who
Killed him." were the first words that
Wyndham uttered. He spoke calmly,
but his face vas deathly white, and he
did not realize with what resistless
strength he gripped the arm of the old
man.
God help us, sir, do not know"
was the reply. LET us go to him.
mo. Remain here. There Is no use
to go TO him now. He Is dead-auite
dead. Before others are informed of
this you must answer some questions
for me. After that will tell you what
is best to do. Can you control your
self, James? IIere-take some of this
brandy. If ever you loved Mr.. Pen
dleton, show it by keeping your wits
about you now. Are you sure that 1t
was half past 5 when Mr.. pcndlcton
returnedw
positive sir"
"Why so positive"
Because the clock on the mantcl
had stopped. sir. asked Mr.. Burr for
the carrcct time SO that | could set it."
WAS he alone?'
"No, sir. There was a gentleman
with him."
"W'ho was it? Did you know him?"
II knew his face. sir, but not his
name. l have seen him on the street
in the City Of Mexico"
"ncscrihc him--or, rather, let me try.
believe that.l have seen him also.
Not as tall as Mr.. PendIeton, eli?
Quite handsome. Black mustachc,
black eyes. complexion rather pale for
'nc with such dark eyes and hair.
Docs that answer
perfectly, SIR
"Now tell me what they did when /;
hey came here together"
THAT do not know, Mr.. Wyndham.
did not hear the stranger utter a
word lie seated himself In that chair
while Mr.. Burr went into the room
you found him, sir He
anne out again moment later with
'undlc Of papers that looked like let
crs in his hand. Then he sent me from
he room. Presently he rang for me
nd ordered some brandy, which scrv-
Il and again left the room. Nearly an
our later heard the bell again. Mr..
'urr was alone then, although l am
l,re that did not hear the stranger
Then he left the apartment. My mas
er told me what clothes lie desired to
ear tonight and said that he wished
} rest a little willie. lie then went
ITO his sleeping room and closed the
DOR, and went out TO attend to COM
lission he had given me. l was not
way from the house more than TWEEN
: minutes, sir, and when returned |
as surprised to discover That | had
1T the door which communicates with
&c hallway OH the latch. 1t was not
1en, sir, but it was not latched, and |
as quite sure that had closed it
hen l went out. My idea was that
r. Pondlcton had remembered some
ling else that he wanted and had gone
tho door TO call me back, but that
d not hear him. That is all, sir-until
III came. That is all | KNOW"
The old servant could restrain him ,
If no longer. but sank into n chair,
Iried his face in his hands and wept.
yndham strobe to the window and
the old man sob OH unhceded, while
drummcd with the ends of his fin.
rs upon the pane and stared into the ]
rkncss
To te continued.