Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-01-25
CHAPTER XIV.

| perience, doing so with some chagrin,
for he thereby confessed that he had
been outwitted by the two men from
India. Simpson, however, showed true
delicacy for his friend by remarking
that his mistake was one which tho
shrewdest person would have mado
under similar circumstances, and there
fore there was no cause for reproachlng
himself.
"The landlord told me that you had
not been hero for several days." re-
marked Manson.
"Of course not. didn't know but
those fellows. OF at least one of them,
would venture to return to learn about
me, so quietly withdrew into the coun-
try to escape the possibility of being
seen by either of them"
"You win not deny now, Fol, that the
proof is clear against DR.. Maidhoff?'
at looks clearer than ever, but am
not ready to give up another theory-the
one which formed at first"
Max Manson was silent q minute, ex-
pecting that his friend would explain
himself, but as he did not he was too
proud to ask him what his novel concep-
ton might be.
SIT seems to me-" continued Manson,
"that there ought to be soI1e way of pun
ishing this physician"
"For what?
"For stealing the rajah's ruby and
causing the death of Miss Livsrmore."
"How do you know he did so?'
81 don't understand you, Fol- Haven't
we Just seen the gem in his po ssession?"
eyes, in the possession Of him and an
other person, but what proof have we
that either of them stole it?'
"What stronger proof can be asked?
Who is that young man with the doc
torp' abruptly inquired Manson.
"Inever saw him before tonight, but
it is evident that tho two are intimate
friends"
eyes, they are plotters together; they
have stolen the ruby from the dead lady,
| or rather the one who became dead after
it was stolen, and are now conspiring
together as to its disposal"
at looks, too, as if Miss Glider is
concerned in it," was the significant re-
mark of Simpson.
"There's no denying that. She doesn't
seem to be in very deep mourning over
the loss of her aunt"
"Still she may be genuinely sorry, even
though the death brings u fortune to the
| younger one."
Had Simpson chosen to tell of the con-
versation between the young lady and
DR.. Maidhoff, in the Office of the latter
some days before, Manson would have
been confirmed in his suspicious of Miss
Glider, but the friend for some reason Of
his own chose to keep it to himself.
At this juncture knock was heard at
the door, and a messenger presented him
self with q telegram for Simpson. The
latter signed the receipt, gave the lad
| fee and when the door w:r closed read
the following:
Close up the case as soon as you can and In
| your own way. Tell NJ to report here by first
train in tho morning. l have another matter
awaiting his attention. v.
"That eliminates mo from this busi-
ness" quietly remarked Manson. II
don't see that have been of any help
anyway"
in that manner. It may be that shall
never know any moro Of this matter
than do now, but shall do my utmost
to clear it up within the present week."
Before my departure tomorrow" said
Manson, II should like to make a call
on DR.. Maidhoff if you have no objec-
tions."
81 will be glad to have you do so."
promptly responded his friend.
eff I gather anything, I will let you
know"
| After further and unimportant con-
versation Simpson withdrew to his room
and was not seen until the following
morning, which dawned bright and
clear. He bade his friend goodby, and
Manson, having resumed his former per-
sonal appearance, called ut the office
of DR.. Maidhoff on his way to the sta
ton, being fortunate enough to find him
in and disengaged.
"Why," remarked the physician in
surprise, ~ understood you to say that
you had given up this affair and gone
home"
$50 did, but Varick thought l had
better run down and see whether there
was anything could do for you."
"That was kind, but really it seems
hardly worth while. am of the opinion
that it is best not to give the matter any
further thought. You have done all that
you could be expected to do, and you
may say to Mr.. Varick that the execu-
tors will cheerfully pay his bill from the
estate as soon as he sends it in."
al am sure there will be no trouble on
that score; but, doctor, do you mean to
say that you will make no further at
tempt to recover this remarkable ruby?
From what ! can hear it must be worth
an enormous sum-
eyes, fully 500, 900, if not more, but
what is the use of trying to accomplish
the impossible? If you dropped dia-
mond in tho middle of the Atlantic, you
would know it was irrecoverably gone.
You could not help regretting its loss,
but you would be foolish to indulge any
hope of recovering it."
"True, but has this gem been dropped
into the ocean,
The physician looked keenly at his Wis
itor before replying:
Mot literally so, but it amounts to
the same thing. The burglar who broke
into her house more than week ago
has had abundant time to hide it where
it is as impossible to find it as if it were
fathoms deep in the sea-"
1.-THE very size and value of the jewel
IL