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

vs. HtS StfeItgIh StTuegnt yOf utS hCdTt.
side Of the table the district attorney,
still seated In his armchair and looking
ineffably bored, and beside him, with
one hand on the back of his chair, the
tall, athletic figure of Craig Wyndham,
looking like the god Of Vengeance sat
, isfied.
Escudera was the first to break the
silence that followed the short strug-
gle.
81 suppose, Mr.. Craig wyndham,
owe this to you" he said.
ST think you owe 1t to yourself and
your own treachery," replied wynd-
ham calmly.
do you believe that you can fasten
your crime upon meY' continued the
Mexican. But the district attorney in,
terrupted before Wyndham could re-
spond.
Take those two men from the ROOM"
he commanded sternly. "Officer Dunn,
remain here with your prisoner, Ro-
driguez. We have not done with him
yet"
Juan began Escudera, but again
he was interrupted, this time by the
officer who had him in charge, who
clapped one hand rudely over his mouth
and led him out OF the room.
Rodriguez" said the district attor-
ney softly when the others had gone,
81 do not believe that you are as bad
as the Others, and for that reason 1
have kept you here to talk with you
alone"
The stencgrapher seized his pen again
and resumed work.
do you know" continued the off,
cial, that there has not been a mo-
ment since Pendleton was murdered
when you and your friends have not
been Swallowed by the police? We have
not had you arrested simply because
we were waiting for additional proof.
And where do you suppose we expected
to get thatf 1 will tell you because you
could not guess-from Mexico"
From Mexicov exclaimed Rodriguez
involuntarily. The craftiness of the
district attorney was too much for him.
"Yes, from Mexico" continued the
official, inventing as he went along
from the tale that Wyndham had told
him. 1--WE know. for example. that
there was a conspiracy hatched be-
lgnacio Romero, now lying wounded in
the City OF Mexico, is the chief conspir-
ator. We know that EScudera, Busta-
mente and you came here for the avow-
ed purpose to assassinate Burr Pendle-
ton. We know 1t because Romero has
confessed"
Rodriguez started back and uttered a
Spanish oath that is untranslatable.
Then, whittier than before. he fixed his
eyes again upon the district attorney.
who after a moments pause continued:
1T is more than likely. Rodriguez,
that you. viii all so to the electric
chair. Escudera and Bustamente GER
tainly will, but you may possibly es-
cape It"
"Howr gasped the man. now thor
oughly frightened.
by confessing freely everything you
know concerning this matter BY do
ing that you will save us time, expense
and trouble, and in return for that 1
can promise you that the Judge viii be
lenient. You will not be executed.
You may get of with short term In
prison. Think II over and answer me,
for this is the last opportunity you will
have"
II am willing TO tell all know, sir.
My life is worth more to me than their
friendship"
81 thought So"
"Escudera killed Pendleton."
"Oh, 1 know that already! Tell me
something don't know"
HE can throw a knife straighter
than you can shoot pistol ball. He
stood In the bedroom doorway and
threw a knife into Pendleton's heart"
81 know that too. Tell me something
don't know"
Il followed him and Pendleton when
they left the club that night. I crept
! up the stairs after them. I was even
! In the outer room where l could see
Escudera throw the weapon when he
did it, and did see hkm."
THAT Is better. l know that also, to
be sure, but did not know all of il.
Go on
Il was obeying Escudera's orders.
He was afraid that we might have TO
do for the old servant as well, and he
thought 1t might take two Of US. 1t
was necessary that Pendleton should
be put out OF the way at once. don't
know why. 1t was something about
some property"
Yes; go on"
"Escudera told me to follow them
and go up the stairs. The minute he
was alone he was to open the door so
that could enter the room and secrete
myself until the right moment. He
had, while Pendleton was in Mexico,
asked him to take charge Of some pa
pers for him which he pretended were
of great value. He asked Pendleton
for those papers that night. That was
how he got him out of the room long
enough to let me In. 1 hid behind the
curtains at one of the windows We
did not much fear discovery, for If we
had been discovered the old servant
would have been killed also-that is, If
my courage had held out. but don't
think 1t would"