Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-05-11
CHAPTER ".
81 SEE D1NLY A DARKER MYSTERY

"Ol-ah-ob, doctor. can't you qirc me
something qicE, before / dici'
IL nothing did Folsom Simpson show
his wonderful readiness more markedly
than in his action on finding himself
alone in the Office Of DR.. Naidhoff. The
most that he had hoped for on his way
thither was the opportunity Of Il look at
the interior and Of making the acquaint
ancc of the physician. In a general way
he intended to play the part of Il patient
of his as long as it could be made to serve
his purpose. but here he was with the
chance which be- had not looked for I'M
der week at the least.
Springing lightly to his feet, he first
made for the drawers, numbering about
a dozen, beneath the cases in which the
physician kept his jars, bottles and va
rious compounds He drew out one after
the other. bootowing only momentarv
glance on each. They We're half filed
with what might he classified under the
head OF rubbish. such as wrapping pa
per. Irvine, empty BOTTLES, scraps of let
tiers and tidbits. The fact that none was
locked was prima facie evidence that
they contained nothing worthy of his
attention. and he gave precious little at
tcntiun to them.
The receptacle for which am look
in@ is locked" was his conclusion as he
turned his efforts 10 the large writing
desk, whose top was thrown back. Here
il is he added Il moment later when
one Of the small drawers resisted his
efforts.
In twinl1ling he had out his bunch Of
skeleton keys, and in less time then
would be supposed the receptacle was
exposed to his view.
1t contained nothing but letters flung
| loosely together.
"Doubtless there are some mi-siycs
here which would interest Mrs Maid
hoff, bur which il would be as well that
she should not see, reflected the iovial
detective, who fingered over the differ
ent letters with the skill of pOstofliCe
clerk. II haven't struck anything in
the nature of a caSket, and it is too
much to hope that | will find the Won
derful ruby, but-hello,'
His eye caught an envelope with a
| foreign stamp. y glance at it showed
that the postmarli was Calcutta.
That is WORT, looking into" he NUT
| tered, unhesitatingly showing the en-
velope, whose plumpness showed that it
contained letter, into his pocket.
/ There may be more of them"
! Possibly there was, but the oppor-
tunity to search further was denied him.
! More than 20 minutes lad passed since
| he began his illegal work, and he was
| getting along fmuouslY when Il cough
and the sound of footsteps on the side
proach. With iuimitablc dexterity
| Simpson slid The drawer back in its place
and locked ii, slipped to his seat ON the
lounge and looked like man suffering
from severe attack OF collie.
Mrs Maidhotf had informed her lIus-
band that patient awaited him i'll 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 a
desperately ailing man. Simpson I'M
blushingly admitted that he had been
overindulging i'll Il series Of fruit, topped
pff with Wine, whisky and couple OF
awallows of brandy whose quality ex-
cited his suspicion.
Il S'pose it's my own fanlt,' ht
Sroaned, but that doesn't help THESE
confounded cramps. Oh--ah-oh, doe
tor, can't you give Inc something quick
before / die
The physician lost uo time in prepar
ing fiery compound, which was admin
lsterrd 10 the sufferer on the spot, Attel
d few minutes appropriate delay tht
sick man announced thar he felt much
better, and III his graarudo handed HE
physician double his fee and took his de
parture before the doctor could make
some inquiries he had in mind reBa"dma
his identity, for, knowing every one as