Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-02-13


 town.
 II wonder whether he intends to mix in this business?' thought the officer. "If he does, he must show his colors be- fore he takes hand. Ahr
 Directly behind the stranger and only a few paces distant loomed the figure of Martha, walking at the same pace, so as not to fall farther to the rear. It was evident that, though he was unknown to her, she was making use of his presence as a shield against that shadOwy peril of which she had received warning.
 If that man turns into the yard, what will she think? She will fancy that he is the thug himself but she sees now that he is not"
 The individual who just then was an object of so much interest passed the gate. speedily vanishing in the darkness beyond, while Martha, after moment s hesitation. turned into the yard and came forward between the trees along the walk to the front door,
 The lamp threw enough of its rays in the direction of the house for a spectator to be able dimly to trace a persons out lines up to the moment when he stepped upon the IrOnI pOrcn.
 Simpson carefully concealed himself and did not remove his eyes from the dim figure, which advanced with a hur- ried but regular step. Her heart must have been beating fast, but nothing in her gait showed her timidity.
 Half way to the porch she started to one side and uttered an exclamation of alright
 How you startled me! I thought it was that man" she called in a suppressed voice, resuming her walk.
 It was indeed "that man." Evidently she had seen some one in the darkness near her, but was relieved by the instant belief that it was her chivalrous friend watching over her. So she advanced serenely and doubtless would have shrieked with terror had the genuine friend approached from the darkness to address her.
 "Ah!' thought Simpson, If she knew that the one at her elbow was the thug she would have swooned dead away, but she was really in no danger, and it is better as it is
 The woman consumed precious little time in letting herself in the front door, Any one seeking admission at such an hour into his own home, when he fancies some awful horror is stealing upon him through the night, can imagine her feel ings during the few seconds she was en- gagged in unlocking tho entrance.
 She whisked inside, however, without molestation, and the key was turned and the bolt slid i'll place again.
 And now what neXt?" Simpson asked himself. working back to his former po- sition, from which he had seen the sepoy pcering from the tree into the upper room.
 At the moment the detective glanced upward Miss Glider camo forward to the window. The watcher saw her ele- vate her hand and draw the string which raised tho curtain to the top of the sash. Then she stood minute looking out on the night, her fine figure revealed by the light behind her
 The doctor remained in the back ground, as if occupied with some other matter The face of the young lady being in shadow, he could not sec the eX- pression of her features, though he be- ieved she was silently gazing into the gloom and meditating over the strange occurrences of the last few days.
 "She must have heard the opening and closing of the front door, and Martha will lose no time in telling her stOry'-
 Miss Glider suddenly turned her head. Then she hastily drew down the curtain, so that the interior of the room was shut out from any prying eyes, no matter where located.
 It was easy to read the meaning of what he saw Tho returning servant had knocked on the door and was bidden to enter, Miss Glider looking around as she did so. The moment she gained the chance she uttered something which gave warning of what was coming. The young lady whipped down the cur tain. and she and Dr. Maidhoff were at that moment listening to the startling story.
 The situation was most peculiar. Simpson had set out to learn something about the rajahs ruby, whose secret he was confident was fully known to the couple, but he found himself uneXpect- edly checked when on the very thresh- old by the presence of Wichman, en- gagged on similar business, though hard ly with the purpose he himself had in mind.
 The question he asked himself was what the couple within tho house were likely to do on learning of their danger. It was to be supposed that the physician was armed and he would hardly leave Miss Glider and the servant alone after the revelation of the latter.
 Marthas description of the individual that had warned her might throw some discredit on his words, for her listeners would not fail to identify him as the pretended patient whom Miss Glider de- clared to be the detective that he really was. Simpson was inclined at the mo- ment of leaving the servant to ask her to conceal his identity, but such a re- quest she would have been quite sure to forget in her excitement, and it would cause distrust of his good faith
 But for the presence of that dusky sepoy Simpson might have ventured upon stealthy entrance into the dwell ing in the hope of picking up some in formation. A risky thing to do at any time-fOr it was a penitentiary utfense- it was doubly so now with that thug prOwllng among the shadows.
 Simpson had maneuvered and moved about good deal among the trees, and while doing so was fortunate enough to discover his rival and enemy. True, this was due to what might be termed piece of good fortune on his part, but knowing the exceeding sub tlety of those people he began to ask him. self whether it was not probable that this man had become aware of his pres ence on tho grounds.
 "I have used all the care could, but have shifted about so often that I may have passed near enough for him to see me. The deuce of it is I have no means of knowing where he is at this moment and am liable to stumble over him at any time"
 The detective was gradually awaking