Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-01-18

watching over her. 80 Bhe advanced
serenely and doubtless would have
shrieked with terror had the genuine
friend approached from the darkness to
address her.
"Ahl" 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 the entrsucc.
She whisked inside, however, without
molestation, and the key was turned and
the bolt slid in place again.
"And now what nextT Simpson asked
himself, working back to his former po-
sition, from which he had seen the sepoy
peering from tho tree into the upper
room.
At the moment the detective glanced
upward Miss Glider came forward to
the window. The watcher saw her Gle
yate her hand and draw the string which
raised the curtain to the top Of the sash.
Then she stood q 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 somo other
matter. The face Of the young lady
being in shadow, he could not see the ex-
preston Of her features, though he be-
Geved 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
ont from any prying eyes, no matter
where located.
It was easy to read the meaning OF
what he saw. The returning servant
had knocked on the door and was hidden
to enter, Miss Glider looking around as
she did 80. 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 DIR. Maidhoff were at
that moment listening to the startling
story.
The situation was most peculiar.
Simpson had get out to learn something
about the rajah's 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 the 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.
Martha's 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 Mt 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 1t 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 itwas penitentiary offense-
1t was doubly SO now with that thug
prowling 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
>laiy of those people he began to ask him
r.,f whether it was not probable that
i, man had become aware Of his pres
&C on the grounds.
Il have used all the care could, but
. shifted about SO often that may
20 passed near enough for him to see
=. Tho deuce of it is have no means
moving where he is at this moment
and am liable to stumble over him at
any time"
The detective was gradually awaking
to the fact that his personal peril was
greater than he had fancied hitherto.
As long as he could stand at the base of
tree with loaded revolver in his hand
and with his man perched above him
among the limbs it may be said that he
commanded the situation.
But since that moment the other fel-
low had descended to earth, and he knew
not where to look for him.
Sh! A soft rustling betrayed the Sc
poy's proximity. Simpson stopped
down SO as to gain a glimpse of small
spot Of the faint moonlit sky beyond.
AS he did SO he once more discerned the
head and shoulders of the miscreant
He was standing motionless, as if listen
ing or awaiting the occurrence Of some
expected event.
He can't suspect my presence" re-
hected the detective, "but it,
1t was at this moment that, like a
thunderbolt, Folsom Simpson recalled