Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-02-08
CHAPTER XVII.
2 MADE A STARTLING DISCOVERY.

It so happened that the afternoon
train for New York was half houl. late
in drawing up at the Northampton sta
ton. More than a dozen passengers
were waiting, including Folsom Simp-
son and young Arthur Fairchild. Since
tho latter held no suspicion of the for
mer, Simpson was able to study him at
his leisure. It was an easy matter to
place himself directly behind the lover,
whose manner showed that he felt no
more interest in the detective than in
any other occupant of the car.
Simpson had done good deal Of
tramping during the day and was glad
of a chance for such a rest as this prom
ised.
at will take us a number of hours to
reach New York, and can enjoy nap"
Firmly persuaded in his own mind
that no risk was involved in doing so,
the officer gave himself up to slumber,
awakened, he lit one of his excellent
weeds and began smoking it with the
manner Of o connoisseur who knows a
good thing when he sees it, and especially
when he gets hold of it.
81 know it is extravagant for me to
indulge in these things" he unused.
"Max can get along very well with the
common kind, and he lectures me once
in awhile on my foolishness in spending
80 much money in smoke; but, confound
it, what's the oddsa Hc smokes the ci-
gars he likes best, and that is all 1 do.
II have to draw upon the Vuelta Aba.
10, and mine cost more than his, it's
unfortunate for me. All that a man
can get out Of this life is his board,
clothing, lodging and little enjoyment.
Some find it in one thing and some in
another. I find it in good imported
cigar. don't drink, gamble or throw
away my earnings in other directions,
and II know my own heart, which
think do, shall continue to indulge in
perfectos as long as the mill turns ont
enough grist to permit me-"
Mr.. Arthur Fairchild, who was read
ing Q newspaper, now interested the de-
tective by his conduct. When he caught
the aroma of Simpsons cigar, he seemed
to become nervous and impatient. Ho
fidgeted about, passed his hands through
his coat and vest pockets, like one who
is searching for something which he
fails to find. He had probably done the
same thing while Simpson was asleep.
The officer interpreted the meaning at
once.
Il beg your pardon" said he, leaning
forward. II am sure know what the
trouble is. have been caught that way
myself. Will you allow me!
And he extended one of his perfectos.
Fairchild's face beamed. He looked hesi
tatingly at the roll of brown sill1en to-
bacco and then accepted it with q laugh
and smile.
"You do not know how much You have
blessed me, or rather, being n smoker
yourself, you do know the favor you
have done me-"
II beg you not to mention it."
y 81 am generally provided, but I did not
discover until after the train started that
I hadn't cigar about me. As any one
will do, I hunted through my pockets 90
times, hoping that had overlooked one
of them. ran out at the first stop and
bought several, but they were SO afro
cious that flung them out of the win
dow. I sat down to make martyr of
myself until we reached New York,
when you upset me by lighting one Of
these-ah, me, this is a cigar!' and the
young man spent several minutes in ex
tracing the pleasure from the nicotine,
while Simpson looked smilingly at him.
We are always attracted to those for
whom we have done kindness.
The detective was inclined to push his
acquaintance with Fairchild after the
amusing opening, but decided that it was
more prudent to refrain. He did not
wish to attract too much attention to
himself. It was evident that Miss Gill
der's lover held no suspicion regarding
him, and he did not wish him to do so,
since it was liable to interfere with the
surveillance he intended to keep over
him.
But the detective was studying his
man closely. Although he became once
more interested in his newspaper, he oc-
casionally made an involuntary move
ment with his right hand. This consist
ed Of placing the fingers under the left
lapel Of his coat and pressing them
against his vest, as if feeling for some
object. ..-.
Simpson smiled, for he knew what this
meant fs-
"That isn't the usual place for the in
side vest pocket, but he has one there,
and it is Nesting within the receptacle.
What can Mr.. Arthur Fairchild intend
to do with the rajah's ruby
The action of the young man was in
voluntary, but SO clearly indicative of
the important truth that almost any sus-
picious person would have guessed that
he was guarding some great treasure.
There was no possibility that it could be
lost while the custodian sat in the car,
yet IL any of our readers have been
similarly placed they will understand
the irresistible inclination which leads
them to assure themselves every few
minutes that the valuable is in place.
In accordance with his rule, Detective
Simpson devoted some time to a studyof
his fellow passengers, and he had not
been thus engaged more than 10 min
utes when he made II startling discovery.
On the ether side of the car, and some
three seats in advance, sat an exceeding
ly well -dressed-rentlepan, apgszsntly