Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-02-17

| intention of handing out the valuable package. Of course he had noticed the man standing a few paces 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.
 II beg your pardon, but before doing anything will you please read this?" As Simpson spoke he handed a twist of paper from his notebook to the clerk. The latter glanced inquiringly at him 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 for gery Don't deliver him the package"
 This certainly was enough to make the recipient open his eyes. He stood for a minute looking at the penciled 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 coolness, too, his face was flushed from his recent excitement.
 "Who are you:' abruptly asked the ho- tel man.
 "One who knows what he tells you. Disregard what, have said, and you will | pay heavily for the consequences" Wichman must have recognized the officer the moment he 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 l to interfere with gentleman?' Simpson, even in his anger, could not | help admiring the cleverness of the fel- low. He did not show the least agita- tion, except perhaps to the extent of looking surprised that such a well in- l formed clerk should give heed to man under the influence of liquor. He cast 8 supercilious glance at the officer and then showed himself trifingly impatient at the mistaken courtesy of the employee.
 It was plain that Simpson had not made good impression, and the clerk was more disquioted than ever. While, on tho one hand, he did not wish to of fend guest, he was disposed to refer the question to his superiors before com | plying with it.
 There was still danger and the detect i've was uneasy.
 Il repeat what wrote on that paper that man there is scoundrel. I will add more-he has come all the way from Calcutta, accompanied by as thorough a villain as himself, to steal gem known as the rajah's ruby, and which is worth good many thousand dollars. That ruby is in the package which Mr. Fair child left with you for safe keeping. These two rogues, baff1ed in all their at tempts heretofore, have now resorted to forgery to obtain the gem, and it looks, too as if they would have succeeded had been few minutes later in reaching here"
 While the clerk was impressed by the pointed words of Simpson, he was not yet fully satisfied regarding him. Tho battered hat was big obstacle in the way of confidence.
 "HOw comes it that you know so much about this business? You have not yet told us who you are"
 Nor do I admit my obligation to do so. He knows who I am."
 The detective jerked the top of his cane toward Wichman and added:
 II am responsible for what 1 say" The matchless Asiatic remained as cool as an iceberg. With inimitable con tempt he responded:
 This is the first time I have had the misfortune to look upon your face. Had been aware that this hotel permits in l toxicated persons to insult guests would go elsewhere. The knowledge certainly is worth acquiring"
 Could this be the native of Hindostan, dressed so like an exquisite and talking after the manner of an educated, high bred gentleman? Folsom Simpson was almost tempted to doubt his senses, but his bedrock common sense told him there was no mistake. Observing the hesitation of the clerk, he added: II see you are in doubt. Under the circumstances there is but one safe course for you to take-give yourself the benefit of the doubt and hold the pack | age until the return of MT. Fairchild l Suppose that by doing so you offend him? | The OffenSe is not serious, and 1 will | guarantee that he will hold no i'll will against you"
 You will guarantee it." repeated the | clerk, with fine touch of sarcasm, "and yet you do not condescend to tell me who you are"
 Well, do as you please" replied Simpson, beginning to lose patience, but if you choose to assist this forger 1 will see that you receive your deserts. If you wish 1t, viii convince you that he has been falsifying while standing here talking to you."
 'Instead of boasting so much," inter- | posed Wichman, who realized that the | crisis had come, do what you proclaim yourself able to do."
 "Very well. You have referred to the | package as containing diamond as- sert that there is no diamond in it. On the contrary, it holds ruby of rare | size and fabulous value" 'Does the gentleman consent that that shall be the test|' coolly asked Wichman of the clerk.
 "I won't promise, but that strikes me as fair proposal" replied the latter.
 II will agree to it," said Simpson. "Open the package in our presence and | decide"
 The clerk turned to the immense safe, and after some careful fumbling brought forth the small package wrapped in brown paper.
 Gan it be have made another blun- derY' the detective asked himself "Why | is this fellow so confident? Is he only blufing, or is there something back of this which as yet have not fathomed?"
 The young man behind the desk began gently unwrappicg the paper, while the couple watched him intently, as did two other gentlemen new arrivals with less curiosity.
 Simpsons heart almost stopped beat ing when he caught the unmistakable sparkle of pure white diamond.
 The clerk hastily wrapped the paper around the inclosing cotton and returned