Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-05-11

him.
More than likely, however, the doctor
had planned and managed the whole
business himself and was at that mo-
ment in possession of the jewel. Secure
in his position before his townsmen, he
might keep it hidden away in the draw
ers of his own Office until the time should
present itself when he could safely dis
pose Of it at "a price which, if no moro
than half its value, would make him in
dependently rich.
When Mana Sahib, the demon of
Cawnporc, fed before the avenging sol
dicrs of England he bore with him the
most wonderful ruby so far as known in
the world. Larger than a robins egg, of
the most spotless pigeon blood purity,
the gem which flashed in the hlt of his
sword was worth kingdom. But when
that royal vagrant lay down to die in
the depths of the pestilcntial juneles of
the Himalayas the royal gem was with
him and lies there still amid the rotting
bones and rags of the miserable wretch.
The rajah' ruby. of course, could bear
no comparison to the matchless gem, ir
recoverably lost so many years ago, but
nevertheless it was worth fully 100000
and was so large, so unique and so val
liable that thief would meet great
danger in dispOsing of it. ''1f. DIR. Maid
hoff pilfcred it, unused Detective Man
son, ''he must convict himself on his
first attempt to sell it, and I'll bring it
home to him as sure as my life is
spared!'
At that moment peculiar knock
sounded on the door. Wondering who
could wish TO sec him at that hour De
tective Manson sprang to his feet as it
was pushed open. An exclamation Of
surprise escaped him.
simpson! What in the name of the
seven wonders brings you here
I've come down to meet you. ] hope
you are not soTry to see me-"
The newcomer was striking figure.
| He was not more than ) feet in height
and so rotund as to suggest pudding.
His smooth face was as rosy as a pippin
his eyes as bright as those Of a rOlliCkiuG
schoolboy, and the expression of genial
| good nature which lit up the round
couutenancc would bring smile 10 the
face of any one. He was dressed in IL
| gray business suit and had Il fashion Of
wearing his derby on the back of his
/ head and indulging now and then i'll Il
low, chucllling laugh that was irrcsiSti-
| bic.
When he sat down. he invariably threw
one dumpy leg over the other, but lie
was compelled because OF his rotundity
to aid the operation by pulling at the
small. neatly turned foot. which Contin-
ually slipped down over the knee unless
he held it wei in hand. Ia short, the
appearance of Folsom Simpson suggested
that of Il verlant youth who had never
dreamed or heard of 1.-THE of the wick
edness in this world. But the person
who set him down as glillible and unso-
phiSticated inade one of the greatest mis-
takes of his life.
Undoubtedlyi it was the very innocence
of simpsons appearance and manner
which had much to do with his eXtraor-
binary success as a detective officer IN
the employ of the same bureau that had
sent Max Manson to Ellcnville to trace
the mystery of the ''raiah's ruby" 1t
was only when Folsom Simpson flung of
his derby and showed that his pate was
as bare aud shiny as billiard hall that
il waS di'corcrah'c that be was man
approaching middle life. Then one was
tempted 10 look more closely and observe
few OF the telltalc wrinkles about the
corners Of the eyes. though the teeth
We're as white and sound = school
girls, and he might easily have passed
for man dozen years younger than
himself.
Simpson made bound into the room
flirting the door shut behind him, flung
his hat upon the bed and graSpcd the
hand of tine surprised and delighted Man
son. y detective in the situation Of the
latter might have resented this intrusion
on his hailiWick, but 10 one could resent
Simpson. lie was welcome everywhere
y few minutes sutficed to explain mat
tiers. Chief Nal1ck had learned enough
about this business TO see the necessity o.
employing two of his best men in unrav
cling IFS MYSTERIES He had therefor,