Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-02-22
CHAPTER XXI.
"LIsTEN, THEREFoRE!"

Detective Simpson and his old friend
conversed for some time, speaking in
such low tones that not even the clerk,
whose curiosity was aroused, could over
hear what was said. Then some arrivals
diverted the attention Of the hotel man,
and Simpson strolled out.
Making his way to the cigar stand he
purchased a couple of perfectos and was
sauntering away again when he found
himself face to face with Arthur Fair
child, just returned from witnessing the
"Old Homestead"
1.-THE very gentleman want to seer
exclaimed tho officer.
The young man had walked down
from Fourteenth street, and his face was
aglow with health. He looked inquir-
ingly at the detective, who added:
II am the gentleman who sat behind
you in the smoking car from Warhamp-
ton this afternoon, and if you can spare
few minutes l will be obliged for
short conversation with you"
with pleasure" said Fairchild, lead
ing the way to a corner, where they
were beyond the reach of eavesdroppers.
Then, when both cigars We're in full
blast, the officer told his story.
'.I am Folsom Simpson, detective in
fhe employ Of the well known -
agency of this city. Something less
than fortnight ago DR.. Maidhoff of
Ellenville, Conn, wrote to us asking
that we send man to that town to
investigate the robbery of Miss Liver
more, who was the owner of u valuable
gem known as the rajah's ruby. Chief
Varick dispatched an officer who picked
e., .s,.k, 1xx.k H. 4
of giving the aid that we had n right to
expect, interposed every obstacle he
could"
'"What reason have you for that as.
sertion?" asked Fairchild severely.
"You will not question it when you
learn all that I know. Be that as it may,
our man withdrew, and took charge Of
the case"
s'And pushed it to success, presume7''
was the inquiring comment of his lis
tener.
Fairly SO. Let me, enumerate some
of the facts which came to my knowl-
edge. In the first place, DR.. Maidhoff
received from Miss Livermore u letter
sent her from Calcutta, warning her that
two sepoys or Thugs would soon leave
that country for Ellenville for the pur-
pose Of securing the rajah's ruby, gem
of great value, and which had been in
the possession of her family for couple
of centuries or more"
"That is quite correct" observed the
young man, who doubtless knew that
the physician had impaired that much
to the detective.
'Now, these East Indians happened to
arrive in Ellenville on the same day that
the letter reached there. DIR. Maidhoff
was indignant when he was justly ques-
i. toned as to why, on learning that a bur-
glary of the Livermore homestead was
impending, he did not place guards in
the house instead of submitting Miss
Livermore to n shock which some peo-
pie believe was the cause of her DEATH"
II do not understand the meaning of
that remark"
81 say some people believe that the
shock caused her death, when the fact is
that Miss Livermore is alive at this hour"
II hope you understand the language
you are using, SIR"
"Most certainly do. do not think
that even you will deny that Miss Liver
more is now at her home in Warhamp-
ton, with her niece, Miss Evelyn. Glider,
to whom you are engaged for marriage"
Arthur Fairchild did not deny it. On
the contrary, he. compressed his lips and
held his peace until, observing the hest
tation of the officer, he quietly said:
81 am listening"
1.-THE sepoys or Thugs committed the
burglary as they planned, and believed
for time that they had secured the real
rajah's ruby, whereas that which they
obtained was nothing but u piece of col
ored glass, intended to servo the very
purpose that it did serve. They started
on their way home with the supposed
prize, but had not gone far when they
discovered the trick that had been played
on them. They returned to renew their
attempt to secure it, or to be revenged
on DR.. Maidhoff."
"Revenged for whaty" sharply inter
rupted Fairchild.
'tFor .outwitting them-one of the
strongest motives that such persons can
have. They lurked in the neighborhood
of the Livermore homestead and Doubt
less discovered the truth"
"What do you mean by the TRUTH"
"That the rajah's ruby was in the pos
session of the doctor, or rather of him
and yourself, for on certain right not
long ago you sat with him i'll the upper
room Of the house with the lamp burn
ing or the table, while you discussed
what should be done with the gem,
meanwhile passing it back and forth be-
tween you. do not think you will deny
that"
II have not done So"
''If you wish to know why am 80
certain about it, reply that I saw you
thus engaged"
Arthur Fairchild turned and stared at
the detective as if he would look him
through. The only response he made
was:
,, II am listening; go on"
-..The warning which l gave Martha,
the servant girl, put you and the doctor
on your guard, SO that the two scoun-
drels, prowling on the outside, dared not
attack you. You and the doctor agreed
that the best course was for YOU tc brinp