The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-02


to do aught else, for the whole seen,
did not occupy more than half n doze,
seconds. After that there was a pic
| ture which would have made excellen
material for a tableau-the three mel
handcuffed, one calm and smiling Gym
ically, another pale with fright an.
the third furious with baffied rage. til,
officers beside them. with firm hand.
/ upon their shoulders: on the othel
/ side Of the table the district attorney
| still seated in his armchair and looking
| ineffably bored. and beside him. will
| one hand on the back of his chair. the
! tall, athletic figure Of Craig Wyndham
looking like the god OF Vengeance sat
isfed.
Escudera was the first to break the
silence that followed the short strug
gle.
Il suppose. Mr.. Craig wyndham, /
owe this TO you.' he said.
II think you owe 1t 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
y
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 hin,
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
have kept you here to talk with you
alone"
The stenographer seized his pen again
and resumed work.
do you know" continued the off,
cial. 'that there has not been 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? 1 will tell you because you
could not question: Mexico"
From Mexico!' exclaimed Rodriguez
involuntarily. The crsftiness OF the
district attorney was too much for him.
Eyes. from Mexico" continued the
official. inyenting 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 consp!r-
ator. We know that Escudera. Busta-
mente and you came here for the avow
ell purpose to ASA ssinate Burr Pendle-
ton. We know it because Romero has
confessed"
Rodriguez started back and uttered a
Spanish oath that is untranslatable
eyes again upon the district attorney.
who after moments pause continued:
lit is more than likely. Rodriguez.
that you will all go to the electric
chair. Escudera and Bustamente GER |
tainly will. but you may possibly es-
cape It,"
How" gasped the man. now thor
oughly frightened.
by confessing freely everything you I
know concerning this matter. By do |
ing that you will save us time. expense +
and trouble. and in return for that /
can promise you that the judge will be
lenient. You will not be executed.
You may get of with a short term In
prison. Think it over and answer me,
for this is the last opportunity you will
have"
II am willing to tell all 1 know, sir.
Ny life is worth more to me than their
II thought so.''
"Escudera killed Pendleton."
ooh, l know that already! Tell me
don't know"
He can throw a knife straighter
ban you can shoot a pistol ball. He
TODD in the bedroom doorway and
brew a knife into Pendleton's heart"
IL know that too. Tell me something
don't know
Il followed him and Pend1eton when
hey left the club that night. 1 crept
p the stairs after them. I was even
! the outer room where I could see I
'scudera throw the weapon when he
id it, and did see him."
THAT is better. l know that also, to
e sure, but did not know all OF it, .
10 on" 1,
81 was obeying Escudera's orders.
e was afraid that we might have to
D for the old servant as well, and he
fought 1t might take two OF us. It {
as necessary that 'Pendleton should l
. put out Of the way at once. l don't ,
now why. 1t was something about I
'me property" S
Yes: go on" |
"Escudera told me to follow them L
Id go up the stairs. The minute he c
as alone he was to open the door SO c
at could enter the room and secrete /
yself until the right moment. He +
Id, while Pendleton was in Mexico, i
ked him to take charge of some pa s
RS for him which he pretended were t
great value. He asked Pendleton
r those papers that night. That was |,
w he got him out of the room long a
ough to let me in. I hid behind the f
rtains at one Of the windows. We I
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