Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-02-12
CHAPTER L
Rat-Tat-Tat

OverdOne myself, for, having failed to
arouse me by jerking the Office bell,
the party outside had resOrted TO this
violent means Of pounding upon the
door.
Sprlnging up, and now fully awake, 1
hastily slipped on my clothes.
In the meantime, the party outside
had given another series OF scientific
raps on the inOffensiYe panels Of my door.
abe easy, there; am coming" I
called, tugging at refractory boot
Finally equipped, 1 struck for the
door and opened 1t, having first turned
up the flame Of the night lamp, which
had been left burning behind a screen
A man stood on the steps.
He was muffed up from the chill night
air so that his face was hardly visible.
doctor, want YOU"
bent forward to gain better view
OF his cOuntenance.
what you, Mr.. Ketchaml7
He nodded his head
This man, Abner Ketcham, was one of
the shrewdest detectives in the whole
city OF New York.
His name was household word.
Under many an alias the detective
had figured in the most important cases
of the times.
knew him because we had had some
little business q month before, when
was fresh from my foreign travel and re-
searches into the mysteries OF the materia
medica Of the ancient Egyptians.
At that time 1 had been enabled to do
Mr.. Ketcham q great favor, and he had
taken fancy to me.
Possibly this might account for his
calling me up at o'clock in the morning,
rs had learned it was.
HAllOw me one minute to put on my
hat and coat, sir, and am with YOU"
L.
known antidOte for poison, he said.
did as he requested
We We're soon outside, and for the first
time noticed that carriage stood near
the curb.
an with you. Doctor. Back again,
driver, and don't spare hOrse-f1esh."
began to be interested.
The words OF the detective, together
with certain other things that could be
foreshadow some event beyond the ordi-
nary.
We started off at a round pace.
Though bursting with curiosity, would
not say a word, knowing Mr.. Ketcham
too we'll for that.
At last he spoke.
q have a case for you, Doctor, that
will try your skill"
you're welcome to il, sir"
"Have you ever met DIR. Seabury?"
81 have seen him and heard much Of
him, but have no personal acquaint-
ance."
He had mentioned the name of physi-
clan noted for his knowledge in the line
OF toxicology.
There never yet had been any case in
the way Of poisOns, present or ancient,
which, submitted to him, could not be
readily solved.
Mr.. Ketcham said no more
1 was left to take it for granted that I
was to be q cO-laborer with the great
Doctor Seabury upon some intricate
case.
The thought fiattered me.
Though I had never had any personal
acquaintance with the old gentleman,
was following in his footsteps, having
made texicology or the science of pOisons
in their relation to the human body my
life study.
He must have heard Of me, then, and
needing assistance on some point on
which he was not positive, had sent for
me
I could SEQ Mr.. Ketcham's eyes upon
my face every little while.
No doubt he wondered why refrained
from asking questions; but had read my
man before, and knew that the easiest
way to his regard was silence and self
possession at all times
Hence, 1 determined to be surprised at
nothing, no matter what might happen
The rattle and bang caused by such
rapid progress over the stony streets was
far from being conducive to comfort,
even II one were inclined to talk.
At length the vehicle drew up close to
the curb
@Here We are, Doctor said the de-
teetiVe, as he opened the door he had
been nervOusly lingering, and leaped
out
followed moro sedately, as I had q
couple OF small cases to look after.
CHANGING up, discovered that We were
before q house that was peculiar, not
only in itself but because its class is al
most obsolete in New York, where every
foot Of ground is worth great deal OF
money.
The house fronted on the street, but It
had q side yard, which was, had no
doubt, q garden, although a high wall
prevented me from making sure OF this
I could just catch glimpse Of a stable
in tho rear.
We walked up the steps
Mr. Keteham opened the front door in
free and easy manner that told he was
perfectly familiar with its working.
There was not a soul in the hall.
The gas burned dimly.
A glance around showed me that IL was
the abode OF one who certainly possessed
wealth, and who had travelled great
deal, for every foot OF space seemed to
have some valuable ornament, painting
or bit of bric-a-brac, such as a man of
taste and unlimited means would pick up
during years spent abroad.
@Up-stairs, Doctor" said the detective.
followed on.
My feet sank into the sOftest of Per
sian carpets upon the stairs. I was
pulling my brain to determine the M
ture OF the peculiar Eastern odor that
seemed to steal so softly upon ones
senses, and could imagine myself once
more in an Oriental house with q Turk
ish host
Mr.. Ketcham opened door and stood
there to allow me to enter first.
The chamber was apparently q bed
room, though the curtains and draperies
hung around hid the bed and bewildered
me at first
A soft light was diffused through the
apartment by a lamp of strange con-
struction, that stood upon a table, the
legs Of which were made Of long ele-
plants tusls-
Around me were q thousand things
marking the tastes Of the man who haS
fitted tie room ~