The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-30

~ .aln.ucs> ssoie over nm. when re-
quired all his strength OF viii to con-
quer.
He knew that he was mourning a
deadly risk in acting as he had done,
for If il should appear that he had been
10 Pendleton'S rooms suspicion. which
might in any case attach 10 him. would
in the minds OF many take the form OF
certainty.
Still for the plan that he had formed
during the few moments when he stood
by the window while James wept near
him he was pursuing the only logical
course. He felt that he must take the
chances.
What nervous force he MAS compelled
to exert in order not 10 manifest the
perturbation he felt during those hours
Of the night nobody but himself could
ever know. and when he left the club
in the full light of the early morning
In the company of one OF his compan-
ions in the game il brought the first
moment of relief he had had from the
terrible strain.
At his own door he left his friend
and. saying that he would get two or
three hours sleep, entered the house
where he lived. lie knew that he was
in n position To prove an alibi for every
hour that had passed since he parted
with pendleton except those that were
really the most vital-between = AMI
10 o'clock the preceding evening-and
for those he must trust To nerve and
chance in case the question should
arise.
AS soon rs he was in Ills own room
he carefully examined the papers that
he had taken from the safe and in the
interest he felt in them for the time
partially forgot the awful reason for
the examination.
From them he selected several which
be concealed The others he destroyed
himself. thus destroying all outward
appearance OF the effect OF the events
of the past night upon him. he return
ed TO the club for his breakfast
He had found among the papers the
key TO many things that he did not I'M
derstand. and he felt certain that as
soon as he could have n protractcd talk
with old James he would be enabled To
see his way clearly before him. The
mystery 10y which Pendleton was sur
rounded was beginning to unfold.
At the club he met Carleton Biggs, n
character whose prototype may be
found in almost every club of promi-
nence in New York. They belong tn
the has beens" i'm that they are among
the oldest members, are always serving
on some committee and have from
some mysterious source income sufii-
cient to pay their dues and purchase
an occasional meal. But they are al
ways ready TO accept an invitation TO
breakfast or dine and regard their
abilities to entertain as sufficient equiv
alent for the favor More than that
they are ever ready to perform any
slight gentlemanly service which will
place one Of their benefactors under
to repeat the invitation at
he first opportune moment. Wynd-
nam desired Biggs to perform just such
/ service for him, and for that reason
invited him to take breakfast.
When they had lighted their cigars.
Nyndham put out his feeler.
by Jove.' he said. 1T is too bad
hat pendleton has not come in. Did
rou see him last night. Carleton"
mo. heard that he was back. but
lid not see him.
HE was to meet me here during the
vening and did not come. Then I
he would blow In for his
breakfast. really ought to get word
o him before go down town. and yet
haven't the time. I'll have to write
line and send 1t down by n mcsscn-
er boy
Biggs fidgcted an instant In his chair
nd then took the bait.
I'm going down that way presently"
e said. II had 1t i'm mind to drop in
nd see Burr anyway. so IL can carry
message for You, old man."
would you? That is just the thing.
t will be a great favor. Carleton, il
on will take the trouble"
mo trouble at all. intended TO stop
here anyhow. you know. VIII Won
rite the message, or shall'-
Certainly not. Just tell him that
is very important that he should