Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-11

| q
THAT Is WHERE KEEP MY DANGEROUS
ARTICLES"
! ming into the sink. At half past 8 O'Clock
Professor Webster was seen to come down
| from his lecture room. He went directly
to his home at Cambridge, where he was
n little before 6 O'Clock, and took supper
with his family. He escorted his two
daughters to house party near by, and
then he and his vito went for visit to
Professor Treadwell's. There were num-
Der Of noted persons present, all of whom
remembered afterward that Professor Web
ster's manner was quiet and natural, and
that he entered with great heartiness into
the conversation and entertainments of
| the evening
AS DR.. Parkman did not return to his
| home Friday evening his family were
alarmed. On Saturday a search was be-
gun. That day the janitor of tho medical
college, Littlcfield, was puzzled by finding
some doors locked that he had left unlock
ed and some unlocked that he had bolted.
While he was wondering about this Pro-
fessor Webster arrived and told the janitor
to light u fire in the laboratory stove, and
that he would not need him for the rest of
the day.
In the meantime the Boston police were
searching for DR.. Parkman, and descrip-
ton of his person was published in all the
afternoon papers. That evening Professor
Webster reached homo at the usual hour,
and on this occasion he brought with him
| a copy of Millions "Penseroso, som
which he read to his family after supper.
Tho next day, Sunday, Professor Web
ster went 10 Boston, and met Mr. Blake
anephew of Dr. Parkman, with whom ho
sympathized on the disappearance of his
uncle, and described what was said in his
last interview with him
On Monday, Nov 20, public excitement
had reached feverish pitch, and not only
Boston, but all New England and the
country where news could reach were stir
rel over the story of the missing man. 1t
was generally supposed that he had disap-
peared because of some sudden alteration
of mind and n reward of So, 600 was offer
cd for Information that would lead to his
discovery. This continued for several days,
during which time it was noticed, because
it was unusual, that Professor Webster re-
manned much alone in his laboratory. keep
ing the doors locked, but in the meantime
he had admitted as visitors the brother and
nephew of the missing man.
Nov. % was Thanksgiving day, and in
thought, Professor Webster gave Little
field, the janitor, an order for n turkey
AT 10 O'Clock that night the police, aid
ell by the janitor, made search of that
part OF the college devoted to tie me,lica,
school. They knocked at Professor Web
ster's room, and to their surprise found
him in. They were admitted. The officer
in charge told Professor Webster, whom he
did not suspect, that their orders We're to
search the medical school thoroughly. The
professor said he would be glad to help
him. but asked that they overturn nothing
which would interfere with his lectures of
the following day.
The officers We're about to enter a small
room when Professor Webster, with
smile, said:
You can go in, but that is where
Keep my dangerous articles, and warn
you
They then went down to the laboratory.
and as they neared Professor Webster's
private closet the officer in charge asked
what it was. Before the professor could
explain the janitor' had told the purpose OF
the apartment and had produced the key.
The door was opened, and one of the off
GERS noticed a tea chest standing on the
fiOor. No comments were made. and the
officers departed, while Professor Webster
went home and that evening played whist
with his family.
On tho morning. of Nov. go Professor
Webster came earlier than usual to his
rooms at the college, and the janitor could
hear that he seemed to be very busy inside,
while, on trying the doors, he found them
to be locked. The janitor, who seems to
have been q shrewd, observing man, dis
covered, by feeling the walls that the fur.
race fires in the laboratory were hotter
than he could see any reason for.
Finding he could not get into Professor
Webster's rooms through the ordinary ave-
nucs, the janitor. waiting till Webster had
gone succeeded in making an entrance
through an outside window Although he
did not suspect the professor of any con-
nection with the disappearance of DIR.
Parkman, he at once began thorough ex-
animation On his own account. His atten-
ton was attracted by number of blood
stained splotches on the floor of the labor
atory Yet these impressed him SO little
that he wen. to dancing party that
night.
Littlefcld went home, hut not to sleep.
His mind troubled him. He had read the
sensational stories in the Boston papers,
and he was impressed with the idea that
a murder had been committed in that part
of the college Of which he had charge
Littiefield. who never for an instant sus-
rectcd Professor Webster, talked with him
about the missing man, whom he now be-
ieved to be murdered. Webster laughed
DOWN his fears, assuring him that Dr.
Parkman would soon turn up all right
There were no lectures on Saturday aft