Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-07-18
!; THE STURGIS WAGER /;
A DETECTIVE STORY.
BY EDGAR MoRErTR.
!: Copyright. ispp. by Frederick A. Stokes Co.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
SYNOPSIS.

SYNOPSIS.
York city. Time. early evening, last day
of year. Cable train collides with cab,
throwing to ground cabman and passen-
then. .s inside the t cab body Of man shot
dead is discovered. Sturgis, reporter, ex.
amines cab and surroundings.
CHAPTER 1I-Later that evening, at
stag dinner party. ,sturgis. IL improm I,l
cumstantial evidence. DR.. Murdoch, ia.
nous chemist. wagers In reply IS. 900 to 800
daily 9apea rs ssset
CHAPTER III-Case selected is of two
mysterious shots fired that afternoon in
or near Kntckerbocker bank. Man had
been seen running from bank with vallsc.
from bank steps and was shot at. Valise
contained nothing of interest.
CHAPTER Iv-Sturgis secures appoint-
ment with Dunlap. president OF bank, to
then induces his friend DR.. Thurston to
come to his rooms while he arrangcs data
OF tho two strange cases. ...,.
CHAPTER y.From observations MADE
thus far and inductive reasoning thereon
reporter has concluded: ~ dead man in
cab was bookkeeper about so years old re-
ceiying good salary: (O wound caused by
have shot himself; () shooting had not
occurred In cab; ~ right arm broken by
heavy instrument; and (6) cabman was
druGged, and young man who escaped in
volvcd In some way in crime. Cab mys-
mystery.
CHAPTER vI-sturgis calls for sprague,
vestisation at bank, but artist has appoint
ment with some fair sitter whose portrait
he 10 making.
CHAPTER VII Agnes Murdoch lin
n,other's death) finds her father in his
study. She. In reply to question concerns
Ing attentions Of 9 Thomas Chatham.
Her father intimates she shall not DO fur
CHAPTER vIII-Miss Murdock's final
citing for portrait INDUCES artist to ask
Agne4. This is read with evident annoy
ance. and she drops 1t. 1t remains forgot
ten when she leaves studio.
CHAPTER Ix-Promptly at time agreed
Dunlap meets Sturgis. Reporter begins
long and careful examination in bank RE-
volver in bookkeeper's desk shows two
empty cartridges.
Sturgis questions banker regarding relia-
bility of Arbogast, head bookkeeper, then
announces Arbogast to be defaulter with
examined condition of books, as accom-
plicc. Message Arbogast sent Chatham
deciphered from marks on a blotter.
CHAPTER Interpreter has now COM
pleted diagram showing movements Of
Arbogast and Chatham and one other
whose identity is as yet completely yelled
Arbogast at last moment had found note
which caused him to suspect his accom-
plice. He fired wounding him in hand and
was about to fire again when unknown con.
alirator rushed in and struck his arm.
This action resulted in turning weapon and
making Arboyast shoot himself. Dunlap
ID tncredulous. but verif1es story in part BY
later Identifying body Of Arbosast at
morRue.
CHAPTER xII-Banker calls upon Mrs,
ArbogaH. While with her she receives LETT
ter written by her husband telling Of de.
fsfasYon Ard expected flight. He has by
nissake aa2wSa Scpcsitor to orerdrav
account. Chatham has discovered mis-
take. and for fear of losing position Arbo-
CAST allows himself to be used by Chatham
and Mr.. Seymour. By false entries Sey-
mour has drawn s50.0OO. Change in method
Of book keeping was about to expose the
matter. Arbogast tells his wife to give
Dunlap confession as soon as he has es.
capped.
CHAPTER xIII-The afternoon of crime
Chatham had had occasion to use teie-
phone. 6turgis learns he had been con-
nected with the Manhattan Chemical com.
pany, mysterious concern not known to
commercial agencies. At office OF chemical
concern Sturgis places detectives.