Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-03-04
NUMBER 9.

90 flSilt III keeping Out VI tuelu, DuS
this Is an extreme case. have another
engagement for tonight, one that is
very important. one that ! must keep
and which | desire to remain a mys-
terry. DO you understand-an engage
ment that | do not want anybody to
know about, an important business en-
gagcment; understand"
IL begin to-yes."
"Well, this is what want you to do.
You will understand how thoroughly
trust you. At half past Z precisely
want you to drive to my door In Q
four wheeler that you will have engag-
ed ut Madison square or anywhere, SO
that il is not here at the club. Pay
the driver in advance. Tell him to
hurry to my door, and tell him when q
gentleman comes out and gets into his
vehicle lie is to start off at once with
out word and drive as fast as his
horses can 90 To the corner OF Thirty
third street and turn the corner toward
Sixth avenue. There, after he has turn
ed the corner, he will pull up until he
hears the door of his carriage slam
shut, when, without looking around, he
will drive on and return TO his stand,
wherever that may be. You will give
him 81 for his trouble. He will be glad
to do it. but he particular to have him
do it just as have said. My own car
riage will be awaiting me, and II any
body tries to follow me that person
will have good time Of 1t. What do
you think!'
Excellent"
Now for the remainder Of your In
structions. Rush into my room in the
greatest haste, all out Of breath, and
all that We will be at the game. Say
something apologetic for interrupting
us and then whisper somethng-any-
thing-in my ear will look amazed
and n trife annoyed. | will say aloud,
AT the Waldorf You will reply:
Yes. and they are going away in an
hour. | knew that you wanted partic-
ularly to see them, and | have looked
everywhere for you. At last II struck
ME that You might be here. My cab Is
at the door. Take that and you Will
get there in time That ends your part
of the scheme. | will ask the others TO
excuse me-important business. won't
keep me an hour, and all that, you
know, and ask you to take my hand
and play for me till return. You con-
sent. and I'll do the rest. Will you do
1t ALL Carleton? III never forget It,"
"You can count on me to the letter,
Craig"
81 knew could. Here is some mon-
ey. don't know how much, but nev-
er mind; don't let anybody see you
take it, Remember, half past T."
.I'll be there. VIII you be long
awayY
81 cannot tell an hour or two or
three ut the most. Play my hand free
ly. won't mind If you lose considera-
bly, to keep them Interested. You TN.
derstand"
Yes"
"Bggs. you're trump. cannot tell
you how you have relieved me-"
After that Wyndham wrote several
notes. which he sent out by messenger
boys. with instructions 10 bring replies.
They were I'LL in by half past 4 and
We're evidently satisfactory, for Craig
Wyndham did not look in the least
worried when he left the club and re-
paired to his own apartments, which,
by :hc way. were the same that had
formerly been occupied by Burr Pen
dlcton. The servant who waited upon
him there also looked strangely like
James. However, he answered to the
name of Thomas, only that the smooth
face was covered by II heavy growth
of beard dyed black and perfectly
made wig of the same hue. Add 10
that the fact that lie rarely appeared
when his master had company, aud
you have Grasped the situation.
He was not. however. the person to
whom Wyndham had referred in his
talk with EScudcra AS my man, SO
there. was nu danger that James would
be seen by those who might recognize
him.
At ) precisely Don Carlos arrived.
and by half past > the expected guests
were all there. There was Il luncheon
prepared for them, but all claimed that
In anticipation of the midnight dinner
they had already stayed their stom-
Al. &, tod
At 6 the game began. and it proceeded
m,rrily without interruption for an
hour and half, when the doorbel
rang. and an instant later Carleton
BigGs ruS,.cd in.
He played lis part beautifully. There
was not hitch anywhere. Within ten
minutes after he entered the room
Craig Wyndham left it. rushed down
the one flight Of stairs to the street,
lcapcd into the carriage and was driven
away. And back in the parlor of his
apartment the game went on almost
without interruption.
If Escudera felt annoyance at this
sudden departure of the host, he gave
no sign of it. II there were. as Wynd-
ham now suspected, others in his en-
ploy on the watch to dog the footsteps
of the American. they succeeded only
I'm following an empty carriage To lts
stand along the western side OF Madl-
son square. AS for Craig, he changed
TO the secoHd vehicle without trouble
and at O'Clock was in the presence
of Senorita del pucnte and hcr duenna,
but il was ia IA hotel much farther up
town than the Waldorf, and If there
had been watchers on his track they
would wait a long time before they
could hope to discover him at that IA
nous hosteIy.
Irn pr ,ncr,rrrrn