The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-02-12

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he sphtpped out a knife and struck avtn.
all his strength StrUtght for the heart.
successful, however. He diverted the
blow so that it cut through the officers
sleeve and inflicted an ugly cash on the
feshy part of his arm.
Through it all the district attorney
remained unmoved in his chair. In
deed there was scarcely time for him
to do aught else, for the whole scene
did not occupy more than half dozen
seconds. After that there was a pic
ture which would have made excellent
material for tableau-the three men
handcuffed, one calm and smiling Gym
ically, another pale with fright and
the third furious with baffled rage, the
officers beside them, with firm hands
upon their shoulders; on the other
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.
II suppose. Mr.. Craig Wyndham, l
owe this to you," he said.
II think you owe it to yourself and
your own treachery," replied Wynd-
ham calmly.
do you believe that you can fasten
your crime upon me" continued the
Mexican. But the district attorney in
terrupted before Wyndham could re-
spond.
"Take those two men from the room,"
he commanded sternly. "Oficer 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-
"
81 do not believe that you are as bad
as the others. and for that reason l
have kept you here to talk with you
alone"
The stenographer seized his pen again
and resumed work.
do you know" continued the off,
ciel. 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 that? l will tell you because you
could not guess-from Mexico"
Prom MeXico" exclaimed Rodriguez
involuntarily. The craftiness of the
district attorney was too much for him.
Eyes. from Mexico" continued the
official. inventing as he went along
from the tale that Wyndham had told
him. I'VE know. for example. that
there was a conspiracy hatched be-
tween four of you and that Captain
Ignacio 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 it 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 will all 60 to the electric
chair. Escudera and Bustamente GER
tainly will, but you may possibly es-
cape It." .s ...-
""HowT' gasped the man, now thor
oughly frightened.
"By confessing freely everything you
know concerning this matter. By do
7 ing that you win save us time. expense
and trouble. and inareturn; for: that 1
can promise you thatthe Judge, will be
lenient You, will nets be executed.
You may get of with a short term in
prison Think 1t over and answer me,
for this is the last opportunity you viii
have.a
II am willing to tell all I know, sir.
Ny life Is worth more to me than their
friendship"