The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-31

Il nave got party on mana nj my
rooms for tonight. and l want you ia
be one OF u.s.
1T strikes me that the obligation Is
on the other side. old man.
Wait. You have not heard me
through. The party is 10 convene II :.
At . we are TO begin a game OF poker,
which is to last until 8 in the morn
ing. r.
II didn't know that you went in for
that sort OF thing, Craig. And you
know
wait; wait. l know. Of course. that
you cannot afford such things. and you
do right in keeping out of them. but
this is an extreme case. l have another
engagement for tonight. one that is
very important. one that l must keep
and which l desire to remain a mys-
terry. Do you understand-an engage
rnent that l do not want anybody to
know about. an important business en-
gagement: understand
Il begin to-yes."
"Well. this is what I want you to do.
You will understand how thoroughly
trust you. At half past precisely
want you to drive to my door in q
four wheeler that you will have engag-
ed at Madison square or anywhere. 50
that il i not here at the club. Pay
the driver n advance. Tell him to
hurry to my door. and tell him when a
gentleman comes out and gets into his
vehicle he is to start OF at once with
out a word and drive as fast as his
70, hn Of Y
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 S. for his trouble. He will be glad
to do it. but be particular to have him
do il just as have said. My own car
riage will be awaiting me. and II any
body tries to follow me that person
will have a good time OF It. What do
you thinkT
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 apologize for interrupting
us and then whisper something-any-
thing-il my ear. I will look amazed
and \ trifie annoyed. I will say aloud.
AT the Waldorf You will reply:
Yes, and they are going away In nm
hour. l knew that you wanted partic-
ularly to see them, and I have looked
everywhere for you. At last ii struck
me that you might be here. My cab ia
at the door. Take that. and you win
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
II all, Carleton? I'll never forget It."
"You can count on me to the letter,
Craig"
II knew I could. Here IL some mon-
ey. I don't know how much. but new
er mind; don't let anybody see you
take it. Remember, half past T."
"Pll be there. VIII you be long
awayY
81 cannot tell - an hour or two or
three at the most. Play my hand free
ly. won't mind IL you lose considera.
bly, to keep them interested. You I'M
derstand?"
"Yes''
"Biggs, you're a trump. cannot tell
you how you have relieved me-
After that Wyndham wrote several
sx.e. 4. ~.~A t>~, vov-
boys, With instructions to bring replies.
They were all in by half past and
were 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 the way, were the same that had
formerly been occupied by Burr Pen
dleton. 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 a heavy growth
Of beard dyed black and q perfectly
made wig Of the same hue. Add to
that the fact that he rarely appeared
when his master had company. and
you have grasped the situation.
He was not. however. the person to
whom Wyndham had referred in his
talk with Escudera as my man." SO
there was no danger that James would
be seen by those who might recognize
him.
At precisely Don Carlos arrived.
and by half past 5 the expected guests
were all there. There was q luncheon
prepared for them, but all claimed that
in anticipation OF the midnight dinner
they had already stayed their stom-
achs," so that 1t went untasted.
At 6 the game began, and it preceded
merriIy without interruption for an
hour and q half. when the doorbell
rang, and an instant later Carleton
BIggs rushed In.
He played his part beautifully. There
was not a hitch anywhere. Within ten
minutes after he entered the room
Craig Wyndham left it. rushed down
the one flight Of stairs to the street.
leaped into the carriage and was driven
away. And back In the parlor Of his
apartment the game went on almost