The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-02-15
CHAPTER Xxx.
NONE OF THAT LITTLE PARTY EVER SAW
HIS FACE AGAIN

the letter in his hand and into the face of
the East Indian.
The latter replied courteously and in
good English:
VERY true, as be explained to me, but
he is with a party MP town to whom lie
is anxious to show the article; two of his
friends leave by the steamer tomorrow
and wish t have look at the diamond
before they 90. Mr.. Fairchild was about
to call cab to drive down here to ret
1t, and they offered TO accompany him.
but that was announcement since they are
so pleasantly placed. Besides they lave
number of lady friends with them. and
il would be hardly proper for them TO
come here"
"Did Mr. Fairchild say nothing about
any difficulty you were likely TO have in
securing this diamond"
Inasmnch as the discussion was con
corning the rajah's ruby, it struck Simp
son as singular that Wichman should re-
fer TO it as u diamond. but the officer
held his peace.
Eyes, it was that fact that caused him
to hesitate, but several gentlemen as.
sured him that written order was all
that WAS needed, aud two OF three Of us
volunteered to como and get it. | re-
spect your scruples, but there is his re-
quest. You may not be familiar with
his handwriting, but you can compare
his signature with the one in your regis
ter and decide as you think best
The clerk had already compared the
two, but he did SO again. He was eIn
barrassed as TO what he ought to do. An
expert in writing would have sworn THAT
the same hand had written both, and yet
Folsom Simpson knew that the sigma
ture to the letter held by the clerk v.Gsa
forgery. though wonderfully skillful
one.
We'll, suppose it is all right" re-
marked the official after a little more par.
leying.
''If you have any nisgiyings.' coutin.
ued the East Indian in his broken Ian
guage. II win return to Mr.. Fairchild
and his friends. but it will be great
disappointment TO them, and am sure
Mr.. Fairchild win be offended
Wich1nan was marvelously clever in
his diplomacy. He saw that he had car.
ried his point. and it was wise to assume
the position he did
The clerk turned to the safe with the
intention of handing out the valuable
package. OF course he had noticed the
man standing q few PAGES back but
Wichman was so engaged that he did
not observe that a person was behind
him.
This same individual now decided that
it would not do for him TO defer action
any longer.
Il beg your pardon, but before doing
anything viii you please read this?'
AS Simpson spoke he handed a twist
of PAPER from his notebook to the clerk.
The latter glanced inquiringly at Finn
and then read the slip, on which was
hastily traced the following:
This man is a scoundrel. The order
which you hold in your hand is a for
gerry. Don't deliver him the package"
This certainly was enough to mako the
recipient open his eyes He stood for
minute looking at the lNnciled words
and then stared at the man who had
written them.
The appearance of the latter was not
prepossessing His clothing was disar-
ranged. and his hat especially looked as
If it had been Through the mill and
ground" Despite the detectives usual
GOODNESS, too, his face was flushed from
his recent excitement.
"Who are your abruptly asked the ho-
tel man.
Zone who knows what he tells you.
Disregard what have said. and you will
pay heavily for the consequences"
Wichinan must have recognized the
officer the moment be stepped forward,
and he must have understood, too, that
he was trying to prevent the delivery of
the package into his hands.
"Will you allow an intoxicated person
to interfere with q gentleman"
Simpson, even in his anger, could not
help admiring the cl1~erness of the fell
low. He did not show the least agita-
lion, except perhaps to the extent of
looking surprised that such well IN
formed clerk should give heed TO man
under the influence of liquor. He cast q
supercilious glance at the officer and
then showed himself triflingly impatient
at the mistaken courtesy of the employee.
1t Was plain that Simpson had not
made good impression, and the clerk
was more disqnieted than ever While,
on tho one hand. he did not wish to Of
fend guest, he YVES disposed to refer
the question to his superiors before com
plying with it.
There was still danger. and the detect
i've was uneasy.
81 repeat what wrote on that paper
that man there is a scoundrel win
add more-he has come all the way from
Calcutta, accompanied by as thorough a
villain as himself, to steal 4 gem known
as the rajah's ruby, and which is worth
a good many thousand dollars. That
ruby is in the package which Mr. Fair
child left with you for safe keeping
These two rogues. bafiied in all their at
tempts heretofore. have now resorted to
forgery to obtain the gem, and it looks.
too. as If they would have sneceeded had
been few minutes later in reaching
here"
While the clerk was Impressed by the
pointed words OF Simpson. he was h.;
yet fully satisfied regarding him The
battered hat WIS big obstacle in the
way of confidence.
"Eiow comes it that you know so much
about this business? Yen have not ye;
told us who you are.
Nor do admit my obligation 10 do
so. He knows who lam"
The detective jerked the top Of his
cane toward Wichman and added:
Il am responsible for what say
The natchless Asiatic remained rs cool
as an iceberg With inimitable con
tempt he responded;
This is the first time | have had the
misfortune to look upon your face. Had
! been aware that this hotel permits in
toxicated persons to insult guests Iwould
go elsewhere. The knowledge certainly
is worth acquiring"