THE RAJAH'S RUBY

Te Aroha News, Volume XI, Issue 1716, 20 February 1895, Page 4

THE RAJAH'S RUBY

BY J.G. BETHUNE

" (Continued.') ! -- ei'ia'er would' hardly ho pleased if she knew this.” “But there is no need of her knowing it. You don’t fancy lam going to tell her? Sit down— sit down, I say, or I don’t know what I will do,” and ho made as if he meant to compel her. Thereupon she laughingly complied, and Simpson, holding his hat and cane, said in his most insinuating voice: “You haven’t forgot our meeting the other night, Martha?”

“Indeed I’ll never forget that as long as I live; it was awful.” “Yes, it was rather stirring. I was glad I was able to take care of you.” “I’ll always remember your kindness. When I catched a glimpse of you as I was a-walkin up the path, I just thought I would faint. I was sure it was that dreadful man.”

“So it was, Martha?” . “What!” she exclaimed, almost falling from her chair.

“Yes, it was he, hut I was right by you, ready to pounce upon him on his first motion to harm you.” “Well, I declare! Did you ever?” * “What did the folks say when you went in and told your story?”. ■ “They couldn’t believe me at. first, but I said I knowed you spoke the truth, for, scuse me, sir, you looked like a real gentleman that couldn’t 1 deceive a lady. The doctor said he would stay all night with us, and he did. Nobody didn’t disturb us, as/I s’pose you know.” “I judged not. I waited around the outside awhile, ready to rush in' if I heard you call for me, but I am glad nothing of the kind happened.” “Oh, the folks asked me all kinds of questions,” continued Martha, becoming more at ease. “They wanted to know who you were, but of course I couldn’t tell ’em, for you see I didn’t know.” “Did you try to describe me?” “Yes; but,lasakes! I can see now that I got it all wrong. I said you were a tall gentleman, with a mustache and dressed in black, which wasn’t as it was at all.”

“I should say not! But that was natural in your disturbed state of mind,” Simpson was considerate enough to say, glad to find that the description of himself by the servant could not have given the doctor or Miss Gilder any suspicion of his identity. “Now, Martha, since you and I are such good friends, I want to ask you a few questions. I hope you will be willing to answer them.” “If they are proper, sir.” “You don’t imagine that I would ask you any other kind? First of all, were ■you at home the night that the robbers visited the house in Ellenville?” Her embarassment of face and manner did not escape the notice of the detective. His suspicion that there was something back of this strange business which had not yet been touched upon was confirmed.

“Yes, sir; I was at home,” she' replied after a moment’s hesitation.

“Did you see anything of the burglar?” “Mercy, no! If I had, I never -would have lived.”

, “Yes, you-would. You are a braver girl than you give yourself credit for. Did you hear anything of the burglar?” “Yes; I heard some strange noises in the night, which must have been made by him.” j “And you found your mistress in a deplorable state—very much frightened and distressed because of the visit of the burglar?” ; “Yes, indeedy. I never seen her so fead." ; ‘ ‘And you made all haste for Dr. Maidhoff, who is your family physician?” “Yes, I went as fast as my legs could carry me.” ..... y \

“Did ho come at once?” ’ i “He was there in a few minutes and did all he could for her.” “But was unable to save her?” Instead of making a direct answer to this question, Martha said:

“Dr. Maidhoff has been our doctor for a good many years, and of course he was the one I went for as quick as I knowed how.” .- „ „

“Most certainly. t Nothing could have been more proper. And he did all he could for her?”

“Why shouldn’t he? Of course he did” At that moment a footfall was heard overhead, as th.ougk.sbme one was walking lightly and hurriedly across the floor. The servant started and looked with an alarmed expression at her visitor, who quietly said: * “I understood you to say that Miss Gilder is at Bllenville.” “So she is,' but we expect her home today.”

“Are you not the only servant in the house?” •

“Yes, sir—bu—oh, Mr.—that« is—please don’t ask me so many questions, for I don’t know what to say.” “I -wouldn’t hurt your feelings for the world, Martha,” remarked Simpson in his kindest, tones, for he knew unerringly that he was on the verge of important information. He had but to. use his advantage wisely, and he would extract knowledge .from this, simple minded young woman that would amply'repay him for the method he used to obtain it.

‘“But there are, you know,' a good many things which I shouldn’t tell, now that Miss Gilder is away. Why not wait till she comes and see her?” she asked, with a start of relief.

“I am afraid I would not find her as considerate as you are. Now, don’t feel offended if I ask you a few things which you may not like to answer; I would bo willing to. pay you well” “No you wouldn’t,” she interrupted scornfully. “Do you think I would tako pay for answering questions?” “You didn’t hear me through,” blandly Interposed Mr. Simpson. “I was about to say that -1 would pay you well for doing Q -°-1 ask were you an ordinary servant that MMo&i ea aired to 4s such things, but

Kno wing yon -to i*cty.v woth a not insult you by such a proposition. Ijj is upon your ladyhood and goodness of heart that I place my reliance.” Ah, but Folsom Simpson knew hoW f° flatter. This, sentiment did its work. Martha blushed with pleasure and was sure that in all her life she had never seen such a splendid man as this. one. Who could say that he was not hopd es3 ' ly impressed with her charms, and that—but no, she must not build such g 01 * geous air castles—that is, not just yet. The detective saw his advantage and pressed it with cleverness. “Martha, my dear, I see how delicate and refined your mind is, so I will ask you only a single question, but before 1 do so you must promise mo that y°J| will answer it. What do you say now? “I don’t know about that,” she replied coquettishly, "but I guess I may the promise, knowing you to be the gentleman you are. Yes, I will promise to answer truthfully," “Who is that person I heard. walk across the floor up stairs a few minutes ago?” The girl seemed about to faint. She turned pale, and for a full minute did hot speak. . “Don’t be afraid,” added Simpson, leaping forward kindly and lowering his Voice, “Let it be a secret between us, Martha." “It is—it is—you mustn’t tell it is Miss • Livermore. She didn't die at aIL Oh, what have I done?” CHAPTER XVI. ( “IT WAS TAKING BIG CHANCE&”

Detective Simpson could not repress an exclamation of astonishment at the astounding words of the servant, and yet, it maybe said, he was partly prepared for them. It was confirmatory of the extraordinary theory he had formed days before when in conversation with Max Manson, and which he was on the point of making known to him. When he heard the footfall overhead-, he suspected it Tras the lady that had been reported dead and buried more than a week before. “Then Miss Livermore did not die?” “No, but she came awful near it,” Martha hastened to say, as though that fact palliated the strange deception that had been used. “I am afraid, Mr.— What is your name?” “Mr. Simpson.” “I am afraid, Mr»Smsvson» Ijshouldn , t have told you this. Dr. Maidhoff will kill me if he finds it out.”

“Don’t be alarmed, my dear. I shall not tell him, and you can do as you please about it. But do you know why she consented to appear as a dead person?” '

“She couldn’t help it. She was pretty near dead, so much so that we. all believed it for a long time.” _ .

“Was it given out that she was dead?” “Yes, sir. The doctor had a coffin sent here on the afternoon train, and everybody thought Miss Livermore’s dead body was in ifr-that is, every one ■rolirt /lidn’t lrrmm if. wsusn’t ”

“How was it they got her here without its being known?” . ,

, “The doctor brought her in a carriage at night. You know it is not very far.”

“But what was their reason for such a singular course?” “I am sure I can’t tell, but it had something to do with that red diamond that was locked up in the safe, and which has made nothing but trouble ever since I can remember.” " v “Last night I saw a young gentleman with Dr. MaidhofL Can you tell me who he was?” - “What kind of a man was he?”

“Quito young and good looking, with dark hair and mustache. He was well dressed and rather tall.”

“Why, don’t you know him? Ho is Mr. Arthur Fairchild. and they do say,” added Martha, dropping her voice to a confidential whisper, “that him and Miss Evelyn will soon be married. I guess it is so too.” ‘ ‘ •

‘.‘Well, my good girl, I am ever so much obliged to you for your kindness, and I repeat that you shall suffer no harm through what you have said. Miss Livermore will doubtless want to know who it was that called on you and what my business is.., You can say it was the gentleman who was at the homestead in Ellen Ville and, inquired of Miss, Gilder about the sale of the property.” “I will do that since it is true, but what shall I say to Miss Gilder if she inquires of me—oh, there she is now!” A light step on the porch was followed by a sharp tinkle of the bell. Detective Simpson did not want to be caught by the lady, and it was his purpose to get away before her return, but it was impossible for him to slip out now, and it would be embarrassing to explain to her why it was he was in the parlor talking to her servant.

But he was a man of, resources and rarely lost his self, possession. “Don’t say anything to her about me,” he said, rising to his feet. “I will step into the next room and slip out when I get the chance,” The parlor was of the old fashioned kind, with sliding doors separating it from tho sitting room beyond. Martha wa3 soflustered that she could do nothing. He stepped softly into tho adjoining apartment, where he hoped to stay undiscovered until he gained a chance of quietly letting himself out at the front. p

The servant waited until ho vanished, when she hurried through the hall and opened, the door, just as tho impatient ogyg another pull at the bell.

Sfi« 'aamitreu-’HO's onry miss ctuaer, but her escort, Mr. Arthur Fairchild, who was laughing and chatting as though in high good humor. “Step into the parlor,” said she, “and wait whilo I run up stairs to see how auntio is. I won’t bo gone long.” “Mind you keep your promise,” replied tho young man, who entered, tho front room and seated himself on the samo chair that was occupied by the other visitor a few minutes before. Simpson hoard the light footsteps trip np stairs, and then came the murmur of voices as the two ladies engaged in conversation, though none of the words was distinguishable. .i ■■ i, Miss Gilder seemed to forget her promise to the young man below, for she was absent fully 15 minutes, during which he vented his impatience by humming several airs to himself and moving uneasily about the room. But he was a pretty good model of a lover, and when she appeared, radiant and happy, he said nothing in the way of reproof, but gently inquired: “How is auntie?” “She couldn’t be better. She seems to have recovered entirely, though it would kill me to go through what sho has within the last few weeks.” , “It is enough to startle any one, but there ;is no need why you should go through it.” - ■ “But what do' you, think she tells me? A man called hero awhile ago and had a long talk with Martha.” “She has a right to have a man call on her, hasn’t she,, as much as other folks?” was the jocose response of Mr. Fairchild. “But there’s something strange about it. Martha says- it is the same person who saw mo at Ellenville, to inquire about the property. 1 That is what he pretended, but I believe it was something else.” •, •,

“Now you Want to make me jealous,” persisted Arthur,who seemed determined not to be serious,

“Why won’t you be sensible when” Further protest seemed to be checked by some sudden obstruction of the lips which sounded suspiciously like a kiss. Folsom Simpson, in the other room, felt that he was acting a mean part in thus playing the eavesdropper to the couple, but how was he to help it? “Whom do you suppose him to be, Miss Suspicion?” “One of those hateful detectives from New York. I am afraid Dr. Maidhoff made a great mistake.” ~ “I don’t think so. You are wrong, for there was a detective that was sent to Ellenville, but the doctor shut up his eyes so closely that he went back disgusted.” “Couldn't there be two of them, Smarty?”

“Possibly there might have been, but it doesn’t strike me as probable. If there were, what of it?” “They will find out something, and then what shall we do?”

“Do nothing. ; It is sure to come out right, pet, but see here! It strikes me that it is rather cold in the parlor. There is more warmth in the other room. (To be >,