Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-02-08

exported, the detective continued at the
heels Of Fairchild, keeping SO well to the
rear, however that he was not likely to
notice him if he happened to look behind
him.
But the .ouHg man conducted himself
like one accustomed to the city. He oc-
casionally bestowed glance at the show
windows, stopped to learn the cause of
crowd that had collected at Union square
and then strobe straight down Broadway
until he reached the well known Astor
House, which has been the temporary
home of 30 many thousands of distin-
guished and of unknown people since its
erection many years ago.
Fairchild made his way up stairs to tho
office, where he registered. So many other
guests were in the room that Simpson did
not hesitate to step inside for the sau-s
purpose.
He stood ut the elbow of the young
man as he transcribed his name in large,
round hand, and the detective wrote his
directly beneath.
II have package which would like
to leave in the safe until tomorrow" said
the former to the clerk.
"All right" responded the latter, await
ing the handing of the article to him.
Fairchild reached his right hand inside
his vest and drew out small object
wrapped in brown paper. He seemed to
wish to add some extra instructions, but
probably reflected that that was unneces-
sary, since anything intrusted to the safe
of the hotel was as secure rs if in the
vaults of the Bank of England.
THAT is the rajah's ruby" was the
thought of Simpson, who quietly
watched the proceeding "It is near its
end-that is, SO far as any interest l
have in it is concerned. wonder what
has become of my dusky friend from
Calcutta"
He was nowhere in sight, and Fair
child took himself down stairs to the
rotunda for his dinner after having
given orders that his baggage should be
sent to his room Immediately on its ar
rival-a somewhat unnecessary instruc
ton on his part.
It might be thought that now, since
the all important jewel was lodged in
the safe of the Astor House, it was al
together work of superfluity on the
part of the detective to shadow the gen.
tleman who had placed it there.
OF what further interest was Arthur
Fairchild to him? He could not enter
the orbit of his anxiety until the gem
should once more come into his imme
diate custody. Was it not safe, there
fore, to dismiss him from further
thought until that contingency should
arrive?
Possibly Simpson might have done
this but for the well grounded fear, as
he conceived it, that the young man
was in personal danger from the subtle
East Indian that had followed him from
Northampton. That miscreant was pre-
vinced that tho other still had tho ruby
with him he was likely to assail him in
some unsuspected corner of the city.
I'VE will dismiss the rajah's ruby
from consideration for the present, was
the officers decision, "and l will take
upon myself to act us a bodyguard to the
betrothed lover of Miss Evelyn Glider"
Still another question perplexed the
detective, Where was the second East
Indian and what was he up to?
Simpson had made the mistake of act
ing as though there was but one upon a
former memorable occasion, and he did
not intend to repeat that well nigh fatal
blunder.
"Those two fellows are plotting mis-
chief somewhere in this great city, and
Arthur Fairchild will be fortunate if he
sees the morrow's sun without an en-
counter with them"
Meanwhile the young man, having fin
ished his meal, had withdrawn from the
lunch counter and was looking over the
morning paper. A glance at the page as
he passed convinced Simpson that he
was trying to fix upon some desirable
place of amusement to visit that evening.
Miss Glider needn't distress herself
about him." was Simpsons conclusion.
HE won't forget her amid the excite
ments and temptations of the great city,"
1t was yet comparatively early in the
evening, and instead of taking cab or
the cars the young man set ont to walk
to the place of amusement which ho had
decided to visit.
Simpson felt like protesting.
How long is he going TO keep this
thing up: I'm not as fond of walking as