The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-10-11

ger also seated outside. Latter disappears;
then, inside the cab, body of man shot
dead / discovered. Sturgis, reporter, ex-
amines cab and surroundings.
CHA PIER II-Later that evening, at
stag dinner party, .Sturgis. In impromptu
discussion, maintains reliability OF err
nous chemist, wagers in reply $4,000 to 500
that from any daily paper he can select an
unsolvable riddle. Sturgs takes bet.
CHAPTER III-Case selected is of two
mysterious shots fired that afternoon in
or near knickerbocker bank. Man had
been seen running from bank with valise,
and arrested Man said he stole Yallse
from bank steps and was shot at. Valise
contained nothing of interest
CHAPTEl: IV-Sturgis secures appoint
ment with Dunlap, president of bank, to
visit scene of shooting early next morning,
then induces his friend DR.. Thurston 10
come to his rooms while he arrangcs data
of the two strange cases.
CHAPTER V-From observations made
thus far and inductiVe reasoning thereon
reporter has concluded: "a dead man in
cab was bookkeeper about 80 years old re-
ceiving good salary; C) wound caused by
have shot himself; (l) shooting had not
occurred in cab; 90 right arm broken by
heavy instrument and (0 cabman was
drugged, and young man who escaped in
volved in some way in crime. Cab mys-
terry also noted as possible sequel to bank
mystery.
CHAPTER vI-sturgis calls for Sprague,
vestigaton at bank, but artist has appoint
ment with some fair sitter whose portrait
he is making.
CHAPTER VII - Agnes Murdoch lin
charge of her fathers household since her
mothers DEATH finds her father In his
study. She, in reply to a question concern
Ing bar s of Of sna6r
Her father intimates she shall not be fur
Their bothered.
CHAPTER VIII-Miss Murdock's final
sitting for portrait induces artist to ask
privilege of calling at her home, which she
readily grants. Bellboy brings note for
Agnes. This is read with evident annoy
ance, and she drops 1t. 1t remains forgot
ten when she leaves studio.
CHAPTER IX-Promptly al time agreed
Dunlap meets Sturgis. Reporter begins
long and careful examination in bank Re-
volver in bookkeeper's desk shows two
empty cartridges
CHAPTER Inflammation completed,
Sturgis questions banker regarding rela-
bility of Arbogast, head bookkeeper, then
announces Arbogast to be defaulter With
Chatham, accountant who has frequently
examined condition of books, as accom-
plice. Message Arbogast sent Chatham
deciphered from marks on q blotter.
CHAPTER XI-Reporter has now com
pleted diagram showing movements of
| Arbogast and Chatham and one other
whose identity Is as yet completely, veiled.
Arbogast a last moment had found q note
which caused him to suspect his accom-
plice. He fired wounding him in hand and
was about to fire again when unknown con-
spirator rushed in and struck his arm.
This action resulted in turning weapon and
making Arbogast shoot himself. Dunlap
Is incredulous, but verifes story. in part by
later identifying body of Arbogast at
morgue.
CHAPTER XII-Banker calls upon Mrs.
Arbogast. While with her she receives let
ter written by her husband telling of de-
falcation and expected flight. He has by
mistake allowed depositor to oVerdraw
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 $25O.00O. 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 tele-
phone. Sturgis learns he had been con-
nected with the Mania ttan Chemical COM
pany, a mysterious concern not known to
commercial agencies. At office of chemical
concern Sturgts places detectives.
CHAPTER XIV-Sprague next morning
finds letter Miss Murdoch had dropped in
his studio, and decides to return it in per-
son.
CHAPTER KYLE reaches her home,
Snd is announced just in time to interfere
with implied threat of Chatham. who has
forced his attentions upon Agnes and with
dangerous looking paper knife in hand has
declared: IF | don't marry you, no one
ever shall After Chatham leaves. Agnes
soon comforted by her now accepted lover,
Sprague.
CHAPTER XVI-Sturgis traces Chat
ham 5 movements as far as Dr. Thurstons
house. Doctor had just developed Roent-
gen ray photograph showing position of
bullet in accountants forearm
CHAPTER XVII-Reporter now goes to
vicinity of Manhattan Chemical office De-
tectives report Chatham to have twice
entered the place, but not seen to have
come out either time. Murdock's house is
on next street directly behind chemical
concern. Here Sturgis gains admission,
and overhears Chathams excited voice
threatening ito give the whole thing
away
CHAPTER XVIII-Sturgis has come to
get rear view of chemical Office bre gives
as his reason desire for interview with
chemist regarding recent experiments.
Murdoch asks reporter into laboratory
but Sturgis remembers engagement and
excuses himself.
CHAPTER XIX-Meeting 'Sprague out
side the two go for warrants ard police to
search chemical concern Arriving, Stur-
gis with skeleton key opens two doors
then leaving police and detectives he and
Sprague descend to cellar follow an un-
derground passage and come to Murdock's
laboratory. Here is found a vat from
which reporter carefully fishes out bit
Of lead which appears to be a lattened
CHAPTER XX-sturgis finds vat con-
sains fluid that dssolves bone as well as
mesh. The bullet just found shows how
Chatham had but little before met his
end. Murdoch coming from above dis
covers the men, Sturgis fires, but he re-
treats in safety.
CHAPTER XXI-By a mechanism work
from above the men now find themselves
completely trapped From an opening
come fumes of gas. A speaking tube is the
only other connect ion with outside world.
BY breathing through this turn about the
men are able 10 hold out awhile. Sprague
finally succumbs. and Sturgis feels his
strength going
II promise" answered Sturgis, after
an instant's hesitation,
1t struck a chill to his heart to see
his friend dying in the prime of youth,
strength and happiness,
Suddenly a thought flashed upon
him.
"Brace up. old fellow. All is not
yet over. The speaking-tube leads to
fresh air. Here, put your lips to it
and breathe through your mouth"
The artist heard the words afsl
made an effort to obey these direc-
tons. With Sturgis assistance he
managed to place his lips to the
maut N niece of the Snpa kiuu-t,ha