The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-30
CHAPTER III.
THE OBLIGATION OF SILENCE.


out once affording him the sight of a
human being. lie regretted his coffee,
but there was native wine in album
dance, with cold meats and luxuries
sufficient to have provided a company
of men with sustenance for several
days. He passed the time in reading,
in walking up and down the room and
In various means of disposins of the
seemingly interminable period be-
tween the return from the dueling
ground and the darkness of the sue
cecding night. Never had q day SEEM
ed so long, but it came to an end at
last, and never had the sun disappear
ed for Burr Pendleton SO pleasantly.
Still. there We're more endless hours to
wait, for IL was not until 10 o'clock in
the evening when he heard voice at
tue grating and knew that the time for
liberation was at hand.
1t was Pancho who came, but he did
not speak. He only unlocked the graf
Ing and stood respectfully aside while
the American passed out. He made no
remark when be dexterously threw a
serape over Pendleton's head. Beyond
that there was no attempt at coercion.
The lasso was not used again. and it
was only through an expressive pres
sure upon his arm as 1t was grasped
by the Mexican that Pendleton knew
that he was to be treated with every
courtesy and consideration. Upon the
friendship of this unknown Mexican
he knew from the experiences of the
past night he could rely, and he per-
nittcd himself to be led again along
the Grayeled paths. among the shrub
berry and finally found himself the oc-
cupaut of carriage which was driven
rapidly away as soon as he had enter
cd it, The serape was removed from
pendleton's head as soon as they were
safely within the carriage and the cur
tains had been drawn.
When at last it came to halt and
the American was Informed that he
could alight. Pcndleton said:
"Pancho, / shall not forget your kind |
nesses to me. | am sorry that you will
not permit me TO offer you some sub
stantial reward. but feel that l would
offend you If | should insist upon it. |
You already know much about me, /
more than am aware of doubtless. |
save written on this card an address In
the city OF New York. where a commu
will reach me or from where
one VIII be forwarded to me at any
time. IL the time should ever come
when l can render you n service, con
sider it done. Say TO the senorita that I
forgive her for preventing me from en-
gaging in the duel. with Captain Ro-
nero; say that / am informed that a
friend acted for me in my absence.
Where are we? At the bronze statue?"
Isl, senior" replied Pancho.
Good night. then. / will walk the re-
mainder of the distance. Adios, my
friend
"Adlos. senior"
Pendleton had walked nearly to the
upper end of the Alameda before he re-
memberod that he had left his case of
pistols in the carriage. but with the
thought that Pancho might derive
pleasure from the possession of the
as souvenir of the occasion.
he shrugged his shoulders and hurried
onward. lie was surprised TO discover
James piacidly engaged in packing.
Even after Captain Agramonte call
I'd and told me about the meeting. SIR
ne explained in reply to his masters
COX of surprised inquiry. Il was trou-
bed until 1 received your message an
hour ago"
My message an hour ago? What was
{. james,
THE man said that YOU had directed ,,
linn to tell me that you would leave on
he early train on the National road in
he morning and 10 have everything
'acked and in readiness. That was cor
ect, was il not?'
sob ar+fwaJ,. so | '
bought TO himself. surely this woman J
leddles strangely in my affairs
X was not until the following even
1s, however. that ne did leave Mexico.
ut he was not sorry when the train
ore him away and he was homeward
ound.
When Burr Pendleton was in the act .
4 ascending the steps to the entrance !,
4 his fayorite club in New York. he ,
Ecountered gentleman who was just ,
aking his departure. They paused. y
mutually and agrceably surprised, and .
fter having exchanged greetings :,
Thich gave evidence that they were =
aore than ordinary friends, Pendleton :,
rev the other back into the house,
there they sought a quiet corner by
hemsetgeS-
Yes, | have returned. Craig. 1t is
eally l. was pendleton's smiling re- :,
ly TO Il question asked by his friend
do you realize. old fellow" return :,
] his friend. that you are more than :.
'Eo weeks overdue and that not a | :,
ord has been heard from you in that !,
me- ;,
Certainly. Circumstances over I,
-hlch | had NJ control-unavoidable n
eiays. unintentional negligence and all s,
lat. you know. The fact is Wynd- II
am. | had a duel on my hands. and | Y
id not care to let you know about it. r,
on sec. ! made all arrangements in d
Use l should not be able TO return at ii
/. which, / confess, seemed at one
me more than likely and thought if ir
did not come back il would be time II
iough to tell you when L arrived. s h
is" ~
Craig Wyndham calmly lighted II
esh cigar before he ventured a COM
ent on the statement OF his friend: w