The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1893-05-17

gle, as the detective now viewed 1t. mar
rowed down toa conflict of wit and cum
ming between him and these swarthy
miscreants, who had travelled so many
thousand miles to commit the robbery.
His theory. as intimated elsewhere,
was that the fellows arriving in Ellen
vile had carefully looked over the ground
and decided that the safer course for
them was to bride DIR. Maidhoff to secure
the gem for them. Doubtless they came
prepared to pay large price, for it could
not have been the intrinsic value of the
ruby, great as it was, which gave it such
worth in the eyes of the descendant of
its first owners.
The physician had secured the prize,
as he could readily do, and the detective
was inclined to suspect that he had not
hesitated at the crime of murder in order
to carry out his part of the bargain. He
had received the wages of his treachery,
and the messengers of evil were making
their way homeward with the priceless
jewel and doing so with a deliberation
that they might well believe would ward
off all suspicion.
Manson sat down for brief talk with
the landlord before retiring for the
night. He apparently bestowed little
attention on the fellows in the corner,
but he wanted the chance to study them,
to make preliminary survey of the
ground, as may be said
On their part they seemed to feel no
interest in him, but every time he stole
glance at the duslSy countenances, with
their red felt skull caps, from which gilt
tassels dangled, he encountered those
snaky eyes which instantly fitted their
looks in another direction.
at is impossible that they should
suspect me" was his conclusion, "any
more than they may suspect all stran-
gers. / am sure they are fully armed, and
the couple will be dangerous TO attack"
They continued conversing with con-
siderable animation, being free with their
gestures and apparently deeply interested
in what each was saying.
"If l only understood Hindoostani,
thought Manson, II might be able to
pick up valuable pointer or two, for
they must feel free to talk their lingo
before any people besides their own"
Suddenly they rose, and one of them
said to the landlord in fair English:
1--WE go to bed, please"
"All right" he replied, with yawn,
glad to find that he was about to gain
the sleep for which he was yearning.
"I'll be back with you in minute" he
added, addressing Manson, who nodded
and said he was ready also to retire.
AT the time of writing his name on
the well thumbed book of the hotel
Manson noticed the two signatures
of the natives, which were simply
"Wichman" and "Lugro," so that it
nay be said their Identification was
complete.
Nothing was tD be gained by question
ing the host, who not only was sleepy,
but was stupid SO he followed him up
stairs behind his tallow candle and along
the uncarpeted hall.
"Your room is next to them chaps"
said the landlord as he turned about to
leave, "but guess they amt dangerous.
~ have no fears" replied Manson,
closing the door, locking and boiling it,
Now that he was alone, however, he
naturally asked himself whether it was
possible to make any use of what, under
other circumstances, would clearly have
been an advantage.
''If they would only talk in English"
he muttered as he heard the hum of their
voices, II could catch something posi-
bly, worth knowing, but as it is might
as well be mile away from them"
The professional instinct led him soft
ly to unfasten his door and to thrust out
his head, with his ear close to the next
door.
AS he did so thrill passed through
him. Wichman and Lugro were con-
versing in English.
"He 'yatchme-he watch you-he after
u.s." was the astonishing remark of one
of them.
81 see dat" replied his companion.
"Tomorrer he bring anoder officer-he
take us to jail-he hunt our pockets-our
bundles-our everyt'ing-he t'ink he
find it-den what we do"
"Mebbe won't find it," suggested the
other.
"Why he no find itY"
"Mebbe we hide it,"
"Where? In woodsY"
"No, he watch us tomorrer. He see
us--we hide it here in dis room, for he
no look here"
Dunno, dunno" commented the 9TH
er in voice which showed nevertheless
that he was impressed by the proposal Of
his companion.
"Dis best place. lie no look here.
Leave it here two, free days-mebbe two,
free weeks-den como back, stay one
night, get it 'ginr'
This amazing conversation now ceased.
For several minutes only word or two
was uttered, and then it was in their ma
tive tongue.
But the listening Max Manson had al
ready caught new sound. II was such
as would have been made by man cut
ting an opening in the wooden surbase
of his room with keen edged knife.
He was confident he knew what the
sound meant.
TO BE CONTINUED