THE RAIAH'S RUBY

Te Aroha News, Volume XI, Issue 1713, 9 February 1895, Page 4

THE RAIAH'S RUBY

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‘•Did it not strike you as’singular, 7 " tie asked, “that those two men, natives of India, as they doubtless were, should bet gin talking in 'English tongue after reaching their room at.the hotel in Wing: field?’’ ~ , _jj • j " f “Yes, it did seem odd, but I did not attach much weight to it. Since the language wa3 of great use to them in this country, it would have been natural to practice it when alone.” \ “Did they seem to be in need of much practice? In other words, did you find any difficulty .in understanding them?” ; “None at all.” “Would it not have appeared more natural for them, when they found themselves alone, to use the tongue in which they could express their thoughts the more readily?” “Yes, except for the reason I have named.” “And then it seems they were talking about this wonderful gem, the very object of which you were seeking information.” .• “That whs the most natural thing in the world, since they had traveled half way around the globe to steal it.” “Possibly, but in their brief conversation they were kind enough to give you the precise information you-were seeking. Can you conceive it possible that they suspected you were listening at the door?” A disagreeable light began breaking in upon the mind of Max Manson. “I understand you to intimate that the whole thing was gotten up for my benefit, or rather my injury?” “Don’t you think it has that look? Those people are cunning—mighty cunning. They suspected you the moment you entered the hotel where they were Stopping. They were convinced that you Were after, the rajah’s ruby. Fearing that you might take extreme measures against them and cause their detention, they sought only to gain time, so as to be able to slip away undetected. They, therefore adopted a course intended to make you believe you had actually recovered the gem, calculating that the interval between that and the knowledge of your error would give them the opportunity they needed, and it looks as if they were not much off in their calculations.” “But that false ruby—that bit of colored glass?” . ' “Are you not aware that that artifice is a very common one? All exceptionally valuable gems have their duplicates (or imitations, mainly designed to baffle covetous thieves. The owner of a noted jewel keeps it securely locked )up in some unsuspected place perhaps, while the comparatively worthless imitation is left where the burglar is most likely to look for it. Many a time the lady who aDnears at some srrand entertainment finds her jewels the envy and admiral tion of all eyes, when in truth the real ones are at home locked in the safe or at the bank, while the crowd are feasting their vision on the clever imitations.” “But whence came this counterfeit rajah’s ruby?” Chief Varick shrugged his shoulders. “I can only guess. They may have brought it with them from India for the purpose of putting it to the very use which served them so well while they made haste out of the country with the genuine gem, or it may have been that the late Miss Livermore received the counterfeit with the genuine from her ancestors, and those ounning'Asiatics were themselves tricked by a clever artifice. Always dreading a visit from burglars, and especially'so after receiving the warning letter which came into the hands of Simpson, it surely would have been natural for her to put it forward where the scamps would be likely to lay their hands on ifc with little trouble.”

“But why didn’t she place the real one in some bank or safe deposit compaftv?” asked Max Manson, impatient at the growing certainty 'of the: trick'that,had been played oh him." ~ - j -

“You are asking me questions which should more properly he addressed to the men whom I sent to Ellenville,” was the pointed response of the chief. “Well, I confess that more than one feature of thus Confounded business-per-> plexea me. Simpson etrbnglysuspecta that Dr. Maidhoff is mixed-up in it.” “I suspect the same.” , “If Ms connection is a guilty one, he must have been aware of the false ruby.” “Not necessarily, for we are not certain those two natives' did not bring it with them from India.” ?“But if. the counterfeit; has been thecompanion of the genuine for Many years, then the doctor has aitled in, deceiving them, and the part he played was a commendatory one." if ‘ your premises are correct; but, if I may be allowed to hazard a guess, it is that the doctor, sold the real gem to the fellows, and they have used the imitation for their own security. Bear in mind’, however, that this is only a guess, on my part, inspired per- 1 haps by the knowledge which I used to have of Dr. Maidhoff years ago, when he and I were classmates in college. It may be that Simpson has made discoveries which will completely change the face of affairs. I am expecting a dispatch from him this evening.” ; “I came near forgetting one thing, Mr; Varick,” added Manson. “When 1 ran down these two men, Wichman and Lugro,they were not making for this city, not by a direct course at least, for they were 20 miles nearer Ellenville than they were that same morning.” Chief Varick showed more excitement than at any time during the interview. He started upright in his seat, and looking fixedly at his subordinate demanded; “Are you sure of that?” “There can be no doubt of it. I located them without trouble and was surprised at, the discqypry.”. . The chief was thoughtful a minute and then asked: “

“Don't yon see the probable bearing of this fact? Suppose Dr. Maidhriff passed off the spurious ruby upon them—that is, hclwv'i his .patient. Miss Livermore, to

place it ed. thaVitwould Jran/inW? ! hands of these men. They are doubt experts, but at the time of the rpbbe i at night‘would not be likely to" .j the trick. Several.days may have without their milking the discovery*' * * make it shortly before you locate the> \ Would . not • their in.ost natural .cP.JH. after such discovery be’ to turn >« ... j toward Ellen villa with the purpose repairing,their error?” ' /.‘But How could they do that*., Miss Livermore jfS-iiS upon them, and Dri Maidhuff| ™ warned?” ! / V* J The chief shrugged his shoulders »o j and smiled. ’ ‘ ‘You are asking me some difficult Q tions. Perhaps had I spent as much-wp* at Ellenville and the . vicinity as 3 r o . might be: able to answer you hite gently.” / . “It is possible, though hardly P r ° . able,” replied Manson, stung hy quiet rasping hereceived during the com versation and by the well grounded : lief that the chief was now looking. Simpson for the real clearing up of * mystery. While Manson had done goo work in the Manitoba affair, and "W& 1 e he was sanguine that he had acquitte himself still more brilliantly inpb® la f c business, it was doubly bumili&puS , ' awaken to the fact that he hadmad® egregious failure all the way througu* .No.man could be expected la , tain his serenity at such a time, pud the chief was probably aware of this, for he showed no resentment because, of the disrespectful word 3 of his employe o * - “As I view it,” ho quietly remarked, lighting a cigar, “the question 1 narrows itself down as to the part played hy Dr. Maidhoff in the business. If be hasa c ' cepted a bribe from the men from India, and then played them false, th? rajah s ruby is secure against all they ca U do, for he would be a fool to run any further risk of its falling into their bands, but I would not like to be in the doctor s shoes.”' ' i “They would hardly dare hpmn him after the suspicious death of'Miss Livermore.” J “They will not commit a crime that could be proved ag&ihst them/ but with their subtlety and skill wilpfiud the means of ‘removing’ him from/the scene of his earthly labors without leaving the slightest evidence against themselves. The fact is, Max, those fellows played it on you mighty fine.” *■ j■'' “Well, chief, it has been several weeks since I have seen my family/’ said Manson, irritated still further; by the last words of Varick, “and I hope I may be allowed to spend a day or * two with them.”. - ‘•‘l shall try to give you "t privilege. I was sorry to bring .you ik when So

thM JgL near home, but there seeflaeq to be need of you. You have done as well as any one could, placed as you were. ifjuccess cannot be looked for every timei I think I shall need vou nretty soon.” k •‘On this same business? | The chief nodded his head! “Simpson is one of our bjst men, but he is more than likely to require your help before he gets through. Hello! I shouldn’t wonder from him now,” added the chief, extending his hand for the dispatch that was brought into his private office at thit moment. . “Yes, it’s from him,” hejadded as he tore open the yellow envelope. -After glancing at it a moment /ie passed it to his subordinate, who read: Am hopeful. You may nothear from me for two days. If you do not recejre word from me on the third day, send Max t<j search for me. • - 4 r-: ’• s* CHAPTER jK. “HE IS ONE OF THOSE SEPOYS.” The old fashioned house that had been the home of Miss Antoinette Livermore. for many years stood amid spacious grounds, surrounded by dense shade trees, which almost, hid'it from view during spring and summer. With the coming of autumn, when the limhs gradually lost their leaves! the antiquated building, which had been a famous one during the early days of the century, and standing as ,it ; did. op | elevated ground near the outskirts of the small town formed one of the jaost conspicuous land mark? of Folsom ' "Simpson; jfijiaing -■ himself alone, gave his whole Energies to tracingl the mystery of tie rajah’s ruby. The vague intimatioia . which he had thrown out to his friend, Mat Manson, were genuine in his mind. though based on such flimsy, fanciephat he deemed it not worth while to Attempt to explain them to him. i- ' " When. howeyer, dicing the course of the dayliOreceived tl© jubilant dispatch •from his associate, Ife.was so certain of the nature of the nffitake made by him that he promptly responded with the words given elsewhere. Wandering aimlessly ,> as it seined, through the town, he managed Jo keep an eye upon the movements of ;|j.r Maidhoff . but so far as he there' was nothing suspicious about tfieffir He went and came as Ins mo|es| o nal duties seemed to require, for generally a busy n*an, most of his journeys- being on foot, since they ffid noffead him beyond the limits of the j % and more interesting mdmdual was Miss Evelyn Gilder, who, as he viewed ,t B jfed the Mysterious secret, with her facffiy physician. .So far as Simpson she 'never T 6 C house which she had shared with her -$ t s 6 long. : The feabout the mid- ? bearing two letters £ 0n ? these was taken to 2®iJCSSL BCO i; an rth e other left at Dr. MaidhofiE s, who acted na if" ho wna ovpecting it, for WH? f Av reached out her & had . th ° TTu jpnd to nng the hell Ho R f^ ed , %th and took it from tilv road it door while he hasnifv that it his head to sigwithinhisoffi^r 11 right 6^ summonsffirffiilr *fiss Gilder f * evening on huS Call an ? Bee h ® r tbl3 rajah’s ruby connectedwith the the watcher, “affi T tl I must be on hand.” was another in^ ,f the , re must be interest ! d + Ual m “ e T h ° this business. I? a extent m child, credited Ta lover of Miss gE fcemg aCCepted caUino-framed an excuse for calling, at hi 8 i qfficet but a

ment a-wmreu .mm. there toi^o him tue yotmg lawyer out of town* and was. not ..expected back for several days. -v :

“He’s in it, too,” muttered Simpsoi lounging, back to the hotel, where 1 kept the best watch he could from his room, which gave him a view of the doctor’s office. Nothing, notewohrty was observed, and night .closed in with little if any real progress in the remarkable investigation he had undertaken: *

The sagacious officer, however, had crystallized a theory which had been gradually taking shape in his mind. He had determined on what might he pronounced a desperate venture. As soon as it was fairly dark he left the hotel, first informing the landlord that he was liable to be kept/, out until late at night and possibly until morning. He was told that the negro boy who slept in the barroom would admit him at any hour and conduct him to his room.

The night was dark, with a faint moon. The Livermore homestead, standing almost beyond the limits of the village, was shrouded in gloom except for the dim light of an oil lamp burning just in front of the entrance to the grounds. It was no difficult matter for the detective to steal in among the trees without being seen. He made himself certain earlier in the day that there was no dog about the premises, so he had nothing to fear on that score.

He had secured a position winch gave him a view of one side and the front of the house, including the portion lit up by the smoking lamp across the street. Posting himself thus, he was prepared to wait several hours if necessary—an ordeal for which the successful detective must always be readv. J He would have given a good deal had he dared to light one of his delightful cigars while thus waiting, but that would have been inexcusable imprudence, for the odor was liable to betray him to any one approaching the dwelling. Fortunately he was hot kept long in waiting. Less than half an hour had passed when he discerned tho outlines of a man coming along the lonely street and entering the dim area of iUuminatioh thrown out by the lamp. As the figure came more plainly into view and turned to pass through the open gate, the watcher identified it. “It's Dr. Maidhoff, sure enough,” he muttered, with a thrill of pleasure and expectation that his surmise had proved correct. “He has come in answer to that summons of Miss Gilder.”

The physician walked briskly up the path, stepped upon the broad porch, hisfootsteps sounding distinct in the stillness of the night. Before he could move forward to sound the heavy brass knocker the door was drawn inward, and by the light of the lamp in the hall beyond Simpson saw the form of Miss Gilder. Beyond a doubt she was waiting for him, and his call was not a professional one, since he would not have waited m long after receiving the letter of the young lady. The two, did not enter the house-at once. The partly open door showed the dark figures on the threshold, where tjiey talked for some moments in low tones. • . If Simpson could'only; batch a few of the words which now reached him in an almost inaudible hum, they were certain to be of the highest importance, so much so indeed that he was; on the point of stealing forward among the trees, though the attempt was almost a hopeless one, when, to his chagrin, they inside, and the door was closed, behind them. , He heard the click of the lock and' the sliding of the old fashioned bolt.. * " “They don’t mean to be interrupted,” was his conclusion, “and I don’t tinnk there is much danger of their being overThe* attempt, however, which he intended to. make in that direction was frustrated in an unexpected manner. He supposed they would seat themselves in the lower sitting room or parlor hut they did neither. The sudden flaring of a light in the upper front room (which had evidently been occupied by the late invalid) showed thejr had gone, thither for the purpose of greater privacy. The scheme, therefore, of creeping up beneath the Window andiistening, in the hope of catching a word or; two, was nipped in the bud. The detective passed among the trees back and forth until he had surveyed the two front and each of the single side windows. The former were impenetrably screened by curtains, as was the one on the left, but the one on the right had its curtain raised about, half way to the top. Whether this was an oversight or whether it was done to assist ventilation, since the sash was also lowered a few inches, was a question of no importance. Simpson moved silently back among the trehs until he was several rods from the side of the house. The change of portion did not give him a glimpse of the occupants nor of any recognizable article of furniture. . , , „ “There is only one thing to be done he reflected, “and that is .to climb that tree which grows near the building. I can hardly hope to overhear their conversation, but I may see something worth tnnwin o, —good heavens! Well might the eavesdropper he startled for at that moment he made the discovery that he!.™, .not. inch; vidual moving among the ti ees and seek Sg to penetrate the mystery of the Livennore homestead. There was another

% t( i ..... . ... its meaning. ~ “He is climbing the tree near the window which I would have used a minute later if he had not anticipated me.” g Such was the fact. The form of the T man was now shown more clearly, as his head and body rose above the window Bill, climbing with the agility of a monkey. “He is one of those sepoys,” muttered Simpson, “and the fellow means murder.” CHAPTER X. “DO JUST AS I TELL YOU.”

Although Detective Simpson had never seen either of the East Indians who were so closely identified with the rajah's ruby, he identified this fellow the moment his shadowy figure was outlined against the lamplight of the room beyond. The round skull cap, with its dangling: tassel, the thin hooked, nose, the long wiry mustache and prominent chin —all these were unmistakable as their silhouette showtcl. against the yellow background.

“Dr. Maidhoff has deceived him in some way about the gem,” was the conclusion of the watcher, “and that fellow has come back to revenge himself upon him.” The large limb upon which Wichnaai was crouching put out from the trunk below the window sill so that his body from the waist downward was in impenetrable gloom, but the rest was so> plainly shown that the watcher detected: every movement. The fellow cautiously raised his head until he must have gained a glimpse of the interior. At the same time he shrouded his movements as much as he could, doubtless through fear that the couple in the room would discover him. The weird figure of the man and his noiseless movements suggested the fearful belief that the miscreant was about to wreak terrible vengeance upon both of them. r >

“If such is Ms intention,” thought Simpson, “I don’t think I’ll stand here and aliow it. I can’t see very well in this darkness, hut if I can’t wing him with! my revolver it will be the poorest shot V ever mjyis." [Continued in Supplement.