Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-05-25

WAS CTOuCdInS pub OuJ ITOlu Jhc u ,tllh
below the window sill so that his body
from the waist downward was i'll I'M
penetrable gloom, but the rest was so
plainly shown that the watcher detected
every movement
The fellow cautiously raised his head
7ntil he must have gained glimpse of
the interior. At the same time he
| shrouded his movements as much as lie
could, doubtless through fear that the
couple in the room would discover him.
The weivd figure of the man and his
noiseiess movements suggested the fear
full belief that the niscreant YVES about
to wreak terrible vengeance upon both
Of them.
IF such is his intention" thought
! Simpson, Il don't think Ill stand here
and allow it. can't see very we'll in this
darkness, but il | can't wing him with
my revolver it will be the poorest shot |
ever made"
The impending tragedy was sure to
overthrow all the calculations made by
the sagacious detective and to bring
about such new complications that he
might well despair Of success. Still lie
could not stand idly by and permit "a
dreadful crime to be committed when it
was in his power to prevent.
He hoped there was Il possibility of the
deed being aycrtcd without interference
on his part--that is. it seemed that there
was chance that the sepoy was III quest
of knowledge, like himself instead OF Il
human life.
AT any rate I'll wait can detect
what he is efter and battle him before 10
does any harm If he will withdraw
without hurting either the doctor or Miss
Glider, he need never know that he has
been under my eye
The fellow i'll the tree now seemed to
concentrate all his attention upon the
couple, who We're evidently i'll sight
Holding lis body poised with one hand,
he leaned forward until his head and face
were marked as if with ink on the win
dow. Thus he remained motionlcss for
several minutes.
During thar brief but exciting period
Folsom Simpson stood beneath and Just
back Of him with his revolver, ready to
fire the instant it became necessary.
He half suspected the niscreant meant
to make catlike leap from his perch
and, catching the sash, throw it quickly
upward and bound into the room with
his deadly knife and assail the two per
sons who little dreamed of their fright
full peril.
In order to carry out such a purpose.
he must make himself the best kind of
target for Tie watchful man below, who
would nOt hesitate to bore him through.
But how passing strange that Folsom
Simpson as ne stood ON the ground,
alert, attentive and ready, forgot the
fearful fact that this sepoy had a COM
panion.
Not once did he recall the statement
of Max Manson that a couple Of the
swarthy wrctches wero involved in the
disappearance of the rajah's ruby. 1t
} was strange piece Of forgctfulness ON
bis part chat was tOprove OF momentous
consequence to him.
Al such times a person thinks rapidly,
and it occurred to Simpson that if this
\ man conten: plated the taking off of DR..
) MaidhOlf alone or indeed of him and his
fair companion, lie could gain better
:
, the window He had but to wait on TIE
, outside until the physician came out on
) his return to his office. when he could
> strike him down among the trees Of the
= yard before coming into the light of the
lamp in front of the gate. Ono quick,
deadly blow and it would be done, The
assassin making off Immediately and
: being miles away before the crime could
be discovered.
But in what q frightful situation Miss
} Glider would be left. After disposing OF
the man the criminal could enter the
= house and finish her, as the watcher be
heved he would assuredly do.
= These reflections We're suddenly broker
by the sound Of the opening and closinl
of the front door. In the stiffness the
> noise was t&Stinct, as We're the footballs OF
, some one moving quickly across the porch
and along the grayeled walk toward tn,
gate,
THE doctor is going home, Now comes
his peril"
, Simpson was around the corner Of the
$ house in Il twinkling, moving as silently
as an Indian and holding himself bidder
among the shadows. As he shifted Iii,
! position he SAW figure in the act OF
turning out of the gaze and hurrying ii
the direction of the town, where the lighr
from the LAMP showed it quite distinctly
1t was not DR.. MaidhoH. but a woman
walking swiftly. He recognized her n,
the servant that admitted him when he
applied at the house some time before
She disappeared while lie stood wonder
ing what it could mean.
1t must be that she has been sent OF
some eaand and will not be gone long
Nobody besides the doctor and Mis-
Glider are low in the building, but thcl
won't be molcstcd until after the return
Of the servant"
This conclusion was SO reasonable
(since the sepoy would lay himself habl,
to interruption if in the meantime h,
moved against the inm9tes) that Simp-
SON did NOT fear to act upon it.
Stealing back TO his former position