Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-01-11
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| hstSS oo"eSSss'u t".PN'SNsts W S>NO -
Uon."
and allow it. can't see very well in this
darkness, but If l can't wing him with
my revolver it will be the poorest shot !
ever made"
The impending tragedy was sure to
overthrow all the calculations made by
the sagacious detective and to bring
about such new complications that he
might well despair of success. Still he
could not stand idly by and permit a
dreadful crime to be committed when 1t
was in his power to prevent.
He hoped there was a possibility of the
deed being averted without interference
on his part-that is, it seemed that there
was chance that the sepoy was in quest
of knowledge, like himself, instead Of q
human life.
"At any rate I'll wait. can detect
what he is after and battle him before he
does any harm. II he will withdraw
without hurting either tho doctor or Miss
Glider, he need never know that he has
been under my eye."
The fellow in the tree now seemed to
concentrate all his attention upon the
couple, who were evidently in sight
Holding his body poised with one hand,
he leaned forward until his head and face
were marked as if with ink on the win
dow. Thus he remained motionless for
several minutes.
During that brief but exciting period
Folsom Simpson stood beneath and just
back Of him with his revolver, ready to
fire the instant it became necessary.
He half suspected the miscreant meant
to mako catlike leap from his perch
and, catching the sash, throw it quickly
upward and bound into the room with
his deadly knife and assail the two per-
sons who little dreamed Of their fright
full peril.
In order to carry out such a purpose,
he must make himself the best kind Of
target for the watchful man below, who
would not hesitate to bore him through.
But how passing strange that Folsom
Simpson as he stood on the ground,
alert, attentive and ready, forgot the
fearful fact that this sepoy had q COM
panion!
Not once did he recall the statement
of Max Manson that couple of the
swarthy wretches were involved in tho
disappearance of the rajah's ruby. 1t
was strange piece of forgetfulness on
his part that was to prove of momentous
consequence to him.
At such times person thinks rapidly,
and it occurred to Simpson that If this
man contemplated the taking off of DR..
Maidhoff alone, or indeed Of him and his
fair companion, he could gain better
opportunity than by his leap through
the window. He had but to wait on the
outside until the physician came out on
his return to his office, when he could
strike him down among the trees of the
yard before coming into the light of the
lamp in front of the gate. One quick,
deadly blow, and it would be done, the
assassin making off Immediately and
being miles away before the crime could
be discovered.
But in what a frightful situation Miss
Glider would be left! After disposing of
the man the criminal could enter the
house and finish her, as the watcher be-
Eeved he would assuredly do.
These reflections were suddenly broken
by the sound of the opening and closing
of the front door. In the stiffness the
noise was distinct, as were the footballs Of
some one moving quickly across the porch
and along the graveled walk toward the
gate.
1.-THE doctor is going home. Now comes
his peril"
Simpson was around the corner of the
house in twinkling, moving as silently
as an Indian and holding himself hidden
among the shadows. As ho shifted his
position he saw figure in the act Of
turning out of the gate and hurrying in
the direction of the town, where the light
from the lamp showed it quite distinctly.
It was not DIR. Maidhoff, but woman,
walking swiftly. He recognized her as
the servant that admitted him when he