Rocky Ford enterprise., 1893-12-21

the interior and Of making the acquaint-
ance Of the physician. In general way
he intended to play the part of patient
OF his as long us it could be made to serve
his purpose, but hero he was with the
chance which he had not looked for un-
der a week at the least.
Springing lightly to his feet, he first
made for the drawers. numbering about
dozen, beneath the cases in which the
physician kept his jars, bottles and va
rious compounds. He drew out one after
the other, bestowing only momentary
glance on each. They were half filled
with what might be classified under the
head of rubbish, such as wrapping pa
per, twine, empty bottles, scraps of let
tiers and tidbits. Tho fact that mono was
locked was prima facie evidence that
they contained nothing worthy of his
attention, and he gave precious little at
tention to them.
"The receptacle for which am look
ing is locked" was his conclusion MS he
turned his efforts to the large writing
desk, whose top was thrown back. Here
it is" he added moment later when
one of the small drawers resisted his
efforts.
In twinkling he had out his bunch of
skeleton keys, and in less time than
would be supposed the receptacle was
exposed to his view.
1t contained nothing but letters flung
loosely together.
Doubtless there are some missives
here which would interest Mrs. Maid
hoff, but which it would be as well that
she should not see," reflected the joyial
detective, who fingered over the differ
ent letters with the skill of a postoffice
clerk. II haven't struck anything in
the nature Of casket, and it is too
much to hope that will find the won
derful ruby, but-hellol'
His eye caught an envelope with n
foreign stamp. A glance at it showed
that the postmark was Calcutta.
"That is worth looking into," he NUT
tered, unhesitatingly showing the en-
velope, whose plumpness showed that it
"There may be more of them"
Possibly there was. but the oppor-
tunity to search further was denied him.
More than 20 minutes had passed since
he began his illegal work, and he was
getting along famously when a cough
and the sound of footsteps on the side
porch warned him of the DOCTORS ap-
proach. With inimitable dexterity
Simpson slid the drawer back in its place
and locked it, slipped to his seat on the
lounge and looked like man suffering
from o severe attack of collie.
Mrs. Maidhoff had informed her hus-
band that patient awaited him in the
office, so that he was prepared for his
visitor.
Assuredly the physician was deceived
by the action and appearance of his
strange caller, for nothing is easier than
to assume the looks and manner of q
desperately ailing man. Simpson un-
blushinyly admitted that he had been
overindulging in series of fruit. topped
of with wine, whisky and couple of
swallows Of brandy whose quality ex-
cited his suspicion.
~ spose it's my own fault" he
groaned, "but that doesn't help these
confounded cramps. Oh-ah-oh, doc
tor, can't you give me something quic.
before 1 die:"
The physician lost no time in prepar-
ing fiery compound, which was admin
istered to the sufferer on the spot. After
few minutes appropriate delay the
sick man announced that he felt much
better, and in his gratitude handed the
physician double his fee and took his de-
parture before the doctor could make
some inquiries he had in mind regarding
his identity, for, knowing every one as
he did in Ellenyille, little natural curl
osity on his part was perhaps excusabls
under the circumstances.
Fifteen minutes later Simpson was
back again in the room of Max Manson,
to whom he recounted his experience.
There may be something and there
may be nothing in this letter." he re-
marked as no drew it forth from the en-
velope. I'VE shall soon find out-con-
found itl"
Tho last exclamation was caused by
the discovery that about one-third of the
sheet containing writing had been torn
off and was missing. Tho penmanship
was excellent, SO that without difficulty
the two detectives read the following
broken communications:
CALCUTTA, June.
Two natives, WicEman and Lu- some
time during the present month by steam
they will sail for tho United States, their ul
being the town of Ellenvillc, in the state
of-They are both desperate villains, who
took-mutiny, and, i have good reason to be
tho organization of assassins Known
Thugs, and which was suppresscd8y Eng
They have been sent by the ra.ah of-an-
cestors ones owned the wonderful gem En-
ruby. This fanaticai potentate has been eng
effort to trace this jewel and has ascer-
tained--that It Is now In the possession
-Livermore Of Eilenvilc. Conn, U. S. a.
an immense reward to bring 1t back,
and-is within tho compass of human abil-
ity-no crimes means to secure their
write hastily IN order to warn you-may
not start for several weeks or nionths-the
steamer which carries this letter. Pc
may lose the ra;ah-s ruby, and probably your
-assuredIy be the case II 1t is necessary
them to accomplish their purpose. Very
respect- How
Both Manson and Simpson were skilled
= 4lso OF. Of