Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 1 November 1895 — Page 7

By EDMUND DOWNEY,

Author of "A House of Tears" Post Park," Etc.

•Ret*

[Copyright, 1904, by Tillotson & Son.)

CHAPTER XXIV. EXIT STEINWORTH.

"You run down and open the door, Briggs. It's only one of your own men, who can't understand why the light is in the house. I'll attend to our guest here for the present, and send your matto fetch the nearest doctor instantly. And you might wake some one up next door and see if you can get a drop of brandy."

Steinworth had not fainted outright, but he seemed almost without life as he sat in the armchair, his head thrown back, his arms hanging limp, his long •white teeth clinching his lower lip.

As soon as Goringe saw that his guest was not in mortal danger his thoughts flew swiftly back to the door of the room, and picking up the screwdriver, which he had placed on the table before Steinworth had begun his story, he proceeded to screw the door into its place. He had scarcely completed his task when Inspector Briggs, holding a bottle in his hand, entered the room. "I am afraid I terrified the people next door," he said. "How is our friend?"

Goringe made no answer. He poured out a stiff dose of the brandy into a tumbler and forced it gently down Steinworth's throat.

The young man recovered slowly and gazed round the room with a dazed and terrified stare. "Still here?" bemoaned, flinging up his arms. "Shall I never get out of this awful house?" "He'll be all right presently," whispered Goringe to the inspector. "Have you sent your man for the doctor?" "Yes it was Young. He has his eye, of course, on the house, and naturally the light alarmed him another minute and he'd have burst in the hall door." "He is full of enthusiasm," said Goringe, quietly. "I think I hear footsteps in the road he has been pretty quick, if it is ha"

In a few moments there was a stamp of feet in the forecourt, and the sound of a gate swinging 00 its hinges, and then a faint knock at the hall door.

Inspector Briggs descended the stairs swiftly and admitted Constable Young and Dr. Leclerc. "Odd," said the young man, as*he entered the hall, "that it is I who should have been summoned hera Who or what is it how?"

The inspector briefly told him who uiie patient was, and indicated as well as he could the condition of Steinworth, and then the two men ascended the stairs.

While Leclerc was silently examining his patient Briggs took the detective aside. "It's rather awkward, but I shall have to hook it right off-rl only wish you could come with mo while the traces are fresh—a burglary in the main road—Crescent road. Young has been out on the hunt, for me.'' "Is it a serious job?" "Seems like it, but Young has no particulars. Couldn't we leave this half dead creature here for the night if the young medical would promise to look after him?" "I suppose you might if you got one of your men to keep house for you. But don't let me advise you, inspector. Iam now in an utterly limp condition. My work is done here, and the reaction has already set in." "All the more reason you should come with me now to the scene of the new job. It will freshen you up." "See what the doctor says. He appears to have satisfied himself now." "Well, doctor," said the inspector, addressing himself to Leclerc, "what do you think of your patient?" "Ho is very low, indeed," said Leclerc, a thoughtful shadow on his pale face. "You may disoilss hia condition freely. He is deaf to everything at the moment."

4

"Is he fit for removal?" "No I was goiug to suggest that I 6hould stop up with him through the night. He may take a sudden change for the worse—or for the better,'' he added, "though I fear a change for the better is not a very likely prospect." "Of course you will have no objection to having a constable in the house?" "Not if he doesn't interfere with me." "No objection to his taking up his quarters iu the adjoining room—where Mr. Victory used to sleep. You see, we have to be careful of our witnesses," explained Inspector Briggs. "I have no objection to anybody who will not hamper me. I will be very glad to have a constable handy—I may want assistance during the night But if Mr. Steinworth

Bhows

any symptoms of re­

turning to full consciousness it will be better he should not have his mind disturbed at the sight of a policeman. He is in a very critical condition." "Very well," said Inspector Briggs. "I will install my man in the next room, and you will pass your word to keep watch and guard over your patient until we claim him." "Yes. If he is not claimed beforehand by the higher powers." "It is possible then," said Goringe, "that the worst may happen before morning?" "Quite possible." "Or that he may recover?" "It is possible he may recover." "He has made a certain statement which it' would be most desirable he should sign. Will you take charge of this statement, and get him to sign it if he does return to full consciousness?" "I mil do my best."

Leclerc stood with folded arms as he spoke to the two officers, his eyes fixed all tho while on his patient. There was 110 trace of uneasiness in his voicc or on

his features. "The document will interest you considerably if you would care to read it over for Mr. Steinworth before he puts his name to it." "Indeed!" "I should think it would, doctor," Inspector Briggs emphatically declared, as Goringe passed some sheets of paper to Leclerc. "My interest for the present is centered in the man here," said Leclerc, quietly—'"not in his statements."

About 7 o'clock in tho morning there was a knock at the door of 13 Felspar road, and Constable Young admitted his inspector and Detective Goringe. "You havo been dozing, Young," said the inspector, sternly, as soon as the hall door was closed. "Don't deny it, you yawning idiot!"

The inspector as a rule did not give way to violent language, but a sleeping sentinel was more than flesh and blood could stand. "It must have been the smell of the gentleman's chloroform, sir," said Young, at a loss for an excuse. "Bosh!" said Inspector Briggs. "Is all right here?" "All right, sir." "Where is Dr. Leclerc?" "Asleep 011 the lounge in the back room—the dining room.'' "Where is your prisoner—the man you were put in charge of up stairs?" "Locked into his room, sir. Here is the key," fumbling in his pocket. "'Pon my soul," said Goringe, "this is lovely. What odds, inspector, that your bird is in his cage?" "It's all right, of course, sir," said Constable Young in a plaintive voice, his conical bead trembling like an aspen. "'All right,' you infernal idiot? I hope for your sake it is—that's all."

Inspector Briggs was in a fierce rage. "Come, Goringe," said he, "let us wake np the young doctor, and see what he has got to say. And you, sir," turning to Constable Young, "go up stairs and report what condition your prisoner is in. And don't stop to inhale any chloroform on the way."

As Constable Young was proceeding to ascend the staircase, a prey to indignation, anger and amazement at his chief's unnecessary anxiety about the safety of Albert Steinworth, Maurice Leclerc stepped into the bail "I was worn out, and came for a stretch here," he said. "Good morning, gentlemen." "Good morning, doctor. How is your patient?" "He has made a surprising recovery, and I have been able to carry out your instructions. Here is the statement signed," handing it to Detective Goringe. "Have you read this?" asked the detective. "No not a word of it." "He is, of course, in his bedroom now?" asked Inspector Briggs. "I locked him in when I was leaving the room, and gave the key to your nan—Constable Young." "Has Steinworth made any statements 0 you?" inquired Detective Goringe. "J decline to say. Anything he may have said I regard as being strictly confidential. "Privileged, of course," said Goringe, "as between d-ietor and patient. Might I ask what line of boats you intended to travel by when you contemplated that voyage across the Atlantic?" "I decline to say." "Or what you have done with your ticket or tickets?" "You ask too many questions." "This way, inspector, please," cried the voice of Constable Young from the landing at the top of the first flight of stairs. "That's a summons, Briggs," said Goringe, speaking softly into the inspector's ears, "to infortn you that for the second time Albert Steinworth has passed mysteriously through a locked door." "Dr. Leclerc," said Inspector Briggs, sternly, "if you have played us false in any way you will havo to pay pretty dearly for your conduct." "Play you false, inspector! I carried out your instructions to the letter. What charge have you in your mind

"I think you have actcd very generously." against me now? I have helped to bring back to life a man who was wandering in the valley of shadows. That is my latest crima '1Fudge, sir!" fumed Inspector Briggs as he ascended the stairs.

"My darling," said Ethel Rodney as she stood looking timidly into her lover's eyes, "I have no fault to find with you for what you have done, but are you sure you have got yourself into no fresh trouble?" "I think not, dearest. Even if I have sinned—of course Inspector Briggs regards me as some horrible species of criminal—I shall suffer for my latest offense in good company. I have a notion that tho detective lias a soft corner at the bottom of his heart, and having found the stolen money he began to develop a kind of pity for that miserable, sickly wretch. If you saw him as I saw him, Etliel, and heard his sordid tale, you could scarcely desire to have him punished further. I couldn't, at any rate, although he confessed how he had

plotted to 'drag me down in order to snatch you from me, dearest." "Do you think that he has got safely away—that he will not be brought back here?" asked tho young girl, clinging moro closely to her lover. "I could not even bear the thought of being brought near the man again.:' "I think he is clever enough to get clear of the country, and I don't think our good Mr. Goringe is anxious for his capture. So far as I can judge, he is piqued beyond measure at having been found napping—at having allowed a house he was virtually in charge of to be broken into. It almost makes me smile—if anything about this wretched business could work that miracle." "I hope you are right, Maurice. But I cannot bear to think of either of those two men.'' "Steinworth and Vickery? You must have some mercy on the elder man. He has half crazed himself with narcotics. And mind you, after all, Ethel, half crazy as he is, thero is something in tha.t theory of his about evaporation as a motive power." "I hate to think of him or hia theories. "My dearest girl, I am a tyjite—and I am once more forgetting all my good resolutions and breaking out into complete selfishness. But it is hard to get rid of old habits." "I think you have acted very generously in helping an enemy—but I don't want to think of him any more, Maurice, if I can help it." "I am glad you consider I am capable of generosity in any form, Ethel, dearest. I am trying to learn some hard lessons. Already I have been taught that there is infinitely more pleasure in one ounce of generosity—apothecary's weight—than in a ton avoirdupois of brooding over one's own selfish troubles. My new partner—good old Percival— has taught me a portion of that lesson. You, dearest, have taught me the rest— and a good deal more that is worth the studying. I am now engaged upon a harder task—the task of learning the lesson of self control.'' "You are learning that lesson admirably, I think," interrupted Ethel Rodney, with pouting lips. "It is ever so long since you kissed me last."

THE END.

"HSjKSTERp

1

CPTMST

,AU|HOA

OF'ThE.

MiONtOMT SUM"ETC.-

[Copyright, 1893, by American Press tion.J PRELUDE.

The sepoy mutiny of 1857-8 was one ol the most tragio uprisings in history. Two hundred million fanatics revolted against British rule, and the flaming plains of India were swept by fire and crimsoned with the blood of the innocents until faraway England rose in the might of her wrath, and her heroes ground the rebels to the earth. The Mogul empire was proclaimed at Delhi, •in May, 1857, and Cawnpur mutinied on the last day of that month. ,lt was invested by Nana Sahib on the 6th of June and surrendered 20 days later. General Havelock fought his way, step by step, to the walls of the city, and Nana stole away like a thief in the night. Betore he «eft(July 16) occurred the massacre of *he European women and children in Cawnpur—a crime that thrilled tho civilized world.

The British government, offered a reward of §50,000 for the capture of Nana Sahib, and every effort was made to trace him, but be vanished as utterly as if he had never been. investigation, however, has made it quite certain that Nana Dhoonda Pant, known in history as Nana Sahib, fled with a few followers to the jungles of Oude and penetrated deep into those dismal solitudes. All died miserably, and the eagles of She Himalayas alone look down from their lofty heights upon the crags of the royal vagrant who perished there long years ago.

Small loss to the world was the death of Nana Sahib, but when he entered those desolate wilds he carried with him tho most wonderful ruby of history. It was the size of a robin's egg, of the purest "pigeon blood" and without a daw. Its brilliancy and perfection gave it fabulous value and a rank beside that of the Kohinoor and tho great g.ems of the world. If that ruby is ever found, it will make tho finder famous and rich beyond compare.

CHAPTER 1.

THE NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. BROWN. I am a quiet, middle aged gentleman who has been a jeweler in Maiden lane, Now York, for rising 30 years. I may be permitted to say thatl havo a family of whom I am fond, and that my circumstances are satisfactory. Understand at the beginning of this story that I am not the hero, and have only set out to relate the occurrences that came to my knowledge, and in which, from the trend of circumstances, I was compelled to act a leading part.

A certain October day, a few years ago, was one of the most dismal I ever experienced. The downfall of rain was oonstaut for two days, and when night closed in the steady drizzlo continued. We had not seen a customer since tho forenoon, and I allowed mv two clerks to go home early. There was nothing for them to do after placing the stock within the massive safe, and I was in that state of unrest when I was glad to be freed from seeing their faces.

I would have left the store at the same time but for a call from my old friend, (Jarl Wittner, the detective, who, with tho remark that he knew I would be lonely, walked behind the counter and back into my private office, where I joined him and we lit our cigars.

I was glad to see him. Wittner was an officer of exceptional skill, bright, intelligent, well educated, and 1 am sure thorouehlv honest. We had been friends

for'years, and he-knew that he need never wait for an invitation to visit mo. Ho was always welcome.

The genuine deteotive is not a man to tell hia secrets or boast of his exploits, as members of tho profession do iu fiction. Nevertheless I am,satisfied that Wittner'let me know more of his doings than any other person. He sometimes appealed to mo for counsel in certain matters, but inasmuch as, so far as I could learn, ho generally took an opposite courso from what I recommended (and 1 must coufess with good results, as a ruie) I suspect that he had little purpose except to compliment me.

Wo had talked 15 minutes or so upon nothing ia particular when tho door of the store opened and a man entered. "Is it possible that 1 have a qustomer?" 1 remarked, rising and walking forward to greet the caller.

I was struck by his appearance. He was tall, elegantly formed and dressed and evidently a foreigner. Ho'set down his dripping umbrella in the stand, and then, as he turned, I gained a good view of him.

His hair, eyes, mustache and imperial were as black as the raven's wing. His teeth were glistening white and his complexion as swarthy as a Spaniard's, though 1 was sure he was not a native of Europe. His gloves, silk hat and attire were of fashionable make, and a diamond of the first water glistened on his scarf.

Years before I bad spent several weeks in Calcutta, and prompted by a curious whim 1 said: "Rajah sahib sa^ivam. Ap ka mizay kaisa hai?"

Those words are Hindoostanee and mean: "Peace to you, honorable sir. How is your temper today?"

The black eyes flashed, the white teeth showed behind the jetty mustache, and ho instantly broke forth with a lot of words which I could no more understand, except tho-t they were in the same language employed by me, than I could speak Choctaw. "I nicked UD only. a. few sentences when in India,n I replied, with a laugh. "If you are familiar with English, let us confine ourselves to that." "With pleasure," he replied, his accent faultless. "I suppose nearly every language is spoken in New York, and I was delighted to hear my own, but I think I can make my meaning olear in your tongua "Iam sure no one could speak itmore correctly. I shall be pleased to-serve you, if in my power." "I thank you, sir. Yon are a dealer in precious stones, I observe?"

He glanced about the store as he spoke, and I inclined my head. "I have something I would like to show you.'' 'I shall be glad to 6ee it."

He reached his hand inside his vest and drew forth one of those small green pasteboard boxes such as are used to hold certain kinds of jewelry, and lifting the lid took from the soft pinkish cotton tho most wonderful gem I have ever looked upon.

A man who has been in business for 30 years in Alaidon lane sees about all there is worth seeing in that line, and during my travels I had beheld some of the great jewels of the world. I may say that had he produced the Kohinoor itself my amazement won Id not have been greater.

That which 1 took between my thumb and forefinger at his invitation was a pigeon blood ruby the size of a small walnut with the husk removed. A.pigeon blood ruby, it may not be known, is more valuable than the same number of carats in the form of a Dure diamond. "What do you think of that, sir?" asked the man, enjoying my astonishment. "If that is genuine,'' I replied, holding it under the glare of the electric light, "and it seems to be. it is worth a kingdom." "You are an expert. I leave it with you to decide whether it is a ruby or imitation. "Wait, please, till get my glass."

I made this excuse to walk to the back office, where Wittner was smoking. I stooped over the table, so as to bring our heads close together, and whispered: "Follow that man and learn what you can about him."

I was gono but a moment. When 1 returned, the caller was leaning one el-

I'M /!0

"Follow that mi a nil learn what you can about him." bow 011 the glass case, his attitude an easy and graceful one, patiently awaiting my verdict.

The scrutiny under the magnifying glass seemed to confirm my first impression, and my wonder grow. "I would like to examine it by daylight—that is, if the sun will over shine again," I remarked as a gust of wind blow tho rain spitefully against the windowa "With your permission I will leave it with you a few days."

At this moment Wittner' came from the inner office and passed through the door. "Good night, Mr. Brown," he said carelessly as he buttoned his mackintosh about him. "I must go homo. Will see you next week." 1 nodded tp him and noticed tho

quick, soarching gJanco ho gave the man, who did not seem to be aware of his. presonce. "May 1 inquire where this gem camo from?" I asked as tho door closed behind my friend. "Certainly—from tho Himalayas, in northern India." "It is yours?" "Pardon me. It would hardly be in my possession if it wore not. "Why do you bring it to me?" "Perhaps you may find me a customer." "Then you wish me to sell it for you, for it is too valuable for me to buy." "That is tho view 1 took of it." "But, begging pardon, it strikes me as strange that you should havo brought this ruby to America when in London, Amsterdam, Vienna, Paris or any one of a dozen cities in Europe you would have beon more likely to find a purchaser. "Thero are plenty of buyers, but kings nnd queens just now aro poor and oanliot afford my price. I presume you are somewhat familiar with tho history of tho mutiny in India in 1857?"

In a general way 1 am." "You havo heard of Nana Sahib?" "1 saw him at Cawnpur a fow weeks oeforo the breaking out of the mutiny." "Ah, you were fortunate." "In what wav?" "That it was a fow weeks before the uprising. Had you been in Cawnpur, say, in July, 1857"—

He completed the sentenco with a shrug and shudder. "I understand. Well?" "You are aware that the British government offered a roward of a lac of rupees for his capture, but never captured him?" "I havo heard that." "Do yen know what became of him?" "No one knows of a certainty. It was reported that he and a few of his followers took refuge in the Himalayas and there perished." "That report istruo. Two of his spies returned. I saw and conversed with one of them. When Nana fled, he took with him the most valuable ruby in all India." "I have beard that also, but what bearing has that upon our business?" "The ruby which you hold in your band is the one which Nana Sahib took with him in his last flight."

V. CHAPTER II

My caller rightly interpreted the expression on my faca "It is a strange story, but I tell yon the truth. Nana did not flee until the year after the Cawnpur massacre, and it was 23 years later that I met one of the spies who was with him. He was an old man, living in the sacred oity of Benares, 011 the Ganges. He was at the point of death when I helped—being a physician—to bring him baok to life. He told me the story and volunteered to show me tho path to tho spot where his master died. But though he led the way to tho neighborhood he either could not or would not take me to tho placa We returned from our bootless errand, and ho died a few years later. His secret was buried with him."

The speaker paused and changcd his lolling attitude. Noting my interest, ho resumed: "I know that when Nana Sahib entered those jungles tho great ruby was in his turban, and if tho spot could be found whero he died there would bo found the gem which I havo brought to you. Five years ago I went back with a single companion, a native like myself, of the country.

He paused long enough for mo to remark: "Then 30 years must havo passed since the death of Nana." "Fully that, and not a vestige of his rags or bones was left. How could I hope to discover the gem? There was no reason to believe I would, but all such great finds, as you know, are the result of chance. I knew whero to look for it, and I kept up tho hunt for weeks until stricken wUh fever and so emaciatcd that I could barely stand. My companion did not fall ill, and my spirit enabled me to search even when my brain was burning with delirium. "One night when tho moon was shining briglii, and I was groping over tho spot whero 1 had at last tumbled down, unablo to walk, I reached out my hand and clutched the ruby of Nana Sahib."

The sptakor was now greatly excited and would havo said no more had I not asked him to finish his story. "I do not remember clearly what took place until I -.cached Baroilly. 1 was ill most of tin time. My companion tried total the ruby from me, hut did not sucecer.'. When I returned to my friends, I camo alone."

No neid of more particulars on that point. I could pictnro the fearful struggle betwef thoso two men for tho possession of a jewel worth a prince's ransom. Thf, orcsence of this man before me showed who was conqueror.

Who knows that it was not his companion that made the find? Who can say what tho nature of that strugglo was? Was there a conflict at all? Was not this man now in my presence a murderer?

But why speculate? Ho was the only living witness, and no one could unseal his lips. "Pardon my agitation," he said, rapidly regaining his self poise, "but you can comprehend the reason. I have given you tho true story of Nana Sahib's ruby. 1 bring it to yon, hoping that amoug your many millionaires in this city you may find a purchaser for me. True, the ruby is valuable, but of itself it is neither meat nor drink, and what good can it bring me? I cannot afford to keep it. Thero are thoso who can. Find me 0110 of them, and your feo shall boa liberal one.'' "You havo not set a price, provided I find a customer, which is exceedingly doubtful."

Wliat do you esteem it worth?" "1 must decline to say. When yon pass a certain point with tho diamond or ruby, there is no rule by which its value can bo determined. It is mirelv

fanoy." "If you wish mo to namo my price, I will say $50,000."

I was astouishod again, and an uneasy suspicion took possession of me, a suspicion which I could not define. But I felt thero was something uncanny and unnatural about tho whole business.

Tho price ho had set was barely onetonth of tho ruby's real value. 1 believed moro than ono crowned person in Europe would pay at least $250,000 to becomo its ownor. The thought that such a bargain was probable half decided 1110 to make tho purchaso mysolf. "I read your surpriso," ho said, with that winning courtesy which had impressed me at the opening of our interview. "1 know that it is worth a great deal moro than that, but tho sum I namo is ono which fow peoplo will pay for a luxury of that sort It is enough for mo. When shall I call?" "Snpposo yon say toward the ond of tho week. I will give you a receipt. "It is not necessary. Your reputation is a guarantee that my property is safe in your hands." "But 1 prefer that you should hold my receipt." "1 am satisfied. Why should you not be?"

And despite my half angry protest' he took up his umbrella, and with the' Bmile revealing his white teeth bohind his black mustaoho ho passod out of the door into the darkness and rain.

Left alone with my disturbing thought and the wonderful stono, I now subjected it to tho most minuto examination possibla

And as one claiming to be an export I must say something about the ruby, one of the aristocrats of tho mineral kingdom.

Tho finest rubies in the world oome from tho mines of Burma, although they are found in many other parts of the world, and even in our own country, whore their quality cannot be compared with those of Burma and the Bpeoimens of India proper. The genuine ruby is pure, limpid, fiery rod corundum, which is crystallized oxido of aluminium, and forms the basis of nearly every gem, excepting the diamond, whioh we value for hardness, brillianoy and oolor. A crystal of pure rod oorundnm is a ruby, of the blue variety a sapphire, of the green an emerald, and so on.

The structure of the ruby is as extraordinary as that which determines its oolor. It is found in crystals of an endless variety of shapes, but all hav-

11 kept him under his eye.

ing a peculiar tendency to tho growth known to crystallographers as "twinning. By testing crystals of corundum with polarized light tho structure is' found to be remarkably complex, and under the microscope its exterior face is covered with a Btrange notwork of sculpture indicative of molecular changes.

Tho most striking fact about the corundum crystal is that it is nearly always found to have inclosed nnd surrounded some foroign body or other, which lies imprisoned in it. More striking still is tho fact that theso included foreign bodies lio generally disposed of in planes, meeting each other at, an anglo ot 60 degrees, tho result being to produce tho phenomenon of ustcrism, which is the term given to rhn white star ot light ub.-ervahlu in certain jowols cut with rounded surface. (Juitff fra: quentiy tho impnsor.ed body !*aminuto bubble of gas or drop of liquid, containing sometimes little crystals of its own. This fluid dolicate scientific tests ,l)nvo proved to 1: liquid carbonic acid-gas reduced to that condition by nnnienso pressure.

Rubies change their color m" a remarkable w:\y under the action of heat. Bluish ones turn perfectly green, and on cooling it-gain their original tint. The blue sapphire turns white, and tho yellow corundum crystal becomes green. I might mention other singular properties of this gem, but obviously it would bo out of place hore. Let mo say that' on the following day, during whioh the sun shone most of tho timo, I subjeoted the ruby left with me to every possible test, and that it passed triumphantly through all. No problem in geometry was ever demonstrated moro clearly than that this enormouB gem was the equal of any similar one, as respects purity and brilliancy, found anywhere in the world. That being tho case, its value could be measured only by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Meanwhilo my friend Wittner had called with his report. He bad lingered in the rain and darkness on the other side of Maiden lane 011 the night of the man's first visit with the gem and kept him under his eye until he reached the Astor House, where he was staying for the'time. "Ho maybe an East Indian." remarked Wittner, "but if his right name is on the register of tho hotel it is no more Hiudoostaneo than yours or mine, for it is plain Darius C. Howard, and he hails from London. Look out for him."

(TO UK CONTINUED.)

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