Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-02-15

ruby Is IN the package WHICH Mr. ralr-
child left with you for safe keeping.
These two rogues, baffied 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
I 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 q 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 admit my obligation to do
SO. He knows who am"
The detective jerked the top of his
cane toward Wichman and added:
II am responsible for what 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
l been aware that this hotel permits in
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-giye yourself the
benefit of the doubt and hold the pack
age until the return of Mr.. Fairchild.
Suppose that by doing 80 you offend him?
The offense is not serious, and will
guarantee that he will hold no i'll will
against you"
"You will guarantee it," repeated tho
clerk, with fine touch of sarcasm, 'and
yet you do not condescend to tell me
who you are" tsss,, .I-z}Ir
"Well, do as you please" replied
Simpson, beginning to lose patience,
'but if you choose to assist this forger
I will see that you receive your deserts.
II you wish it, will convince you that
he has been falsifying while standing
here talking to YOU" .f,
| "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 tho
package as containing diamond. las
sert that there is no diamond in it. On
| the contrary, it holds ruby of rare
size and fabulous value"
"Does tho gentleman consent that that
shall be the testT' coolly asked Wichman
Of the clerk.
~ won't promise, but that strikes me
as fair proposal" replied the latter.
81 will agree to it," said Simpson.
"Open the package in our presence and
decide" f'-.. ... a} ,
The clerk turned to the immense safe,
and after some careful fumbling brought
forth the small package wrapped in
brown paper. o.
"Can it be have made another blum
der?" the detective asked himself. "Why
is this fellow 80 confident? Is he only
bluffing, or is there something back of
this which as yet have not fathomed?'
The young man behind the desk began
gently unwrapping 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
the package to its place in the safe.
81 have accepted the test of this per-
son." said Wichman. with the same inl-
I1o1,
the gentleman to decide who has won.'
Simpson remained dumb. This was
| another instance in which he felt unable
to do justice to the occasion.
But a fourth party arrived on the
scene. He was one much higher in au-
thority than the clerk. AS he stepped
forward he glanced keenly at the dis
putants in front of the desk and smiled
and nodded ut Simpson.
"Hello!" he called, with laugh, "was
that hat won on the last election
"There was nothing the matter with
it until it fell under horses heels and
was trampled on"
II underestimate understand" said
the gentleman, with q significant shrug
of the shoulders. 'rm not saying any
thing; but" he added more gravely. "it
looks to me as if there had been some
argument here" '
There could be no doubt that Folsom
Simpson and this person were old ac-
quaintances. The fact was the detective
had done work for him more than once.
The clerk was vastly relieved to have
the embarrassing load lifted from his
shoulders He quickly explained the
situation. His superior listened gravely
and then nodded to Simpson to approach.
"How is this, Foi?'
The detective made everything clear
in as few words as possible.
"This is an extraordinary story in
deed! john" he added, turning to his
clerk, lyon came near committing an
objectionable error. You must never
take any such chances, for it would
prove a costly piece of stupidity on your
part. am astonished that you should
have considered it for moment. ldon't
blame yop for looking upon him with
suspicion, fof that hat onght TO rule lin
out of civilized society. AS for this
other individual-bless me! where is Le;r
Uys,1,,,,,, <1a Eoef T,I;o,, l,,,l u,l