Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-08-01
: sAssAeMHmaaeAuMuMuas
( THE STURGIS WAGER I
} A DETECTIVE STORY. =
: BY EDGAR MoRETrR. Z
N Copyright, 1890, by Frederick A. Stokes Co. y
y&4&eNAYeY
BY EDGAR MoRErrR.
SYNOPSIS.
A DETECTIVE STORY.

SYNOPSIS.
CHAPTER I-Scene of story is in New
York city. Time, early evening, last day
of year. Cable train collides with cab
ger also seated outside. Latter disappears;
then, inside the cab, body of man shot
dead is discovered. sturgis. reporter. ex-
amines cab and surroundings.
stag dinner party, .sturgis. in impromptu
discussion, maintains reliability of cir.
cumstantial evidence. DR.. Murd doc i fao
daily paper rs
unsolvable riddle. sturgis takes bet.
CHAPTER III-Case selected is of two
mysterious shots fired that afternoon In
been seen running from bank with vaiIse.
and arrested. Man said he stole Xa!ise
from bank steps and was shot at. Valise
contained nothing of interest.
CHAPTER IV-Sturgis secures appoints
ment with Dunlap. president of bank, to
then induces his friend DR.. Thurston to
come to his rooms while he arrangcs data
OF the two strange cases.
CHAPTER v-Ffom observations MADE
thus far and inductive reasoning thereon
reporter reF. has concluded: ~ dead man in
ceiying good salary; () wound caused by
bullet fred at close quarters; (3) might
have shot himself; ~ shooting had not
heavy instrument: ana (6) cabman was
drugged, ana young man who escaped in
VOWED in some way in crime. Cab mys-
terry also noted as possible sequel to bank
mystery.
CHAPTER vI-Sturgis calls for Sprague,
artist friend, to get his company during In
vestigation at bank; but artist has appoint.
ment with some fair sitter whose portrait
he Is making.
CHAPTER VII - Agnes Murdock lin
charge of her fathers household since her
mothers DEATH finds her father in his
Ing attentions OF Thomas Chatham,
shows her dislike of the persistent suiter.
Her father intimates she shall not be fur
sitting for portrait induces artist to ask
privilege OF calling at her home. which she
Nge Fhs Is re aee % br 1asn p9s for
ance, and she drops it. It remains forgot
ten when she leaves studio.
CHAPTER IX--Promptly at time agreed
Dunlap meets sturgis Reporter begins
volver in bookkeeper's desk shows two
empty cartridges.
CHAPTER DETERMINATION completed,
Sturgis questions banker regarding relia-
bility of Arbogast head bookkeeper, then
announces Arbogast to be a defaulter with
Chatham. accountant who has frequently
examined condition of books. as accom-
plice. Message Arbogast sent Chatham
deciphered from marks on blotter.
CHAPTER XI-Reporter has now COM
pleted diagram showing movements Of
Arbogast and Chatham and one other
Arbogast at last moment had found a note
which caused him to suspect his accom-
niice. He fired wounding him IN hand and
snirator rushed In and struck his arm.
This action resulted in turning weapon and
making Arbogast shoot himself. Dunlap
later Identifying boay Of Asbo a aat' 1 at
morgue.
CHATTER X1r-Banker calls upon Mrs.
ArsS93 While with Der she receives let
fsiea.oa ana sa ane a has al d Sy
mistake allowed aapositor to overdraw
account. Chatham Has discovered mis-
CAST allows himself to be used by Chatham
mour has drawn $3.50 900: Change in method
matter. Arbogast tells his wife to give
Dunlap confession as soon as he has es-
capped.
CHAPTER x1II-The afternoon of crime
nectei wisa the Manhattan Chemical eeh conn com
pany. mysterious concern not known to
concern StWgts places detectives.
CHAPTER X1V-Sprague next morning
finds letter Miss Murdoch had dropped in
his studio, and decides to return it in per-
son.
and is announced just III time to Interfere
with implied threat of Chatham, who has
iofced his attentions upon Agnes, and with
dangerous looking paper knife in hand has
Ieclared: IF don't marry you no ono
ever shall" After Chatham leaves, Agnes
gives way to historical weeping, but is
soon comforted by her now accepted lover,
SRrague. -
CHAPTER xvI-sturgis traces Chat
hams movements as far us DR.. Thurston's
house. Doctor had just developed Roent-
gen ray photograph showing position Of
bullet In accountants forearm.
CHAPTER XvII-Reporter now goes to
vicinity of Maxlhattan Chemical Office De-
tectives report Chatham to have twice
entered the place, but not seen to have
conc out either time. Murdock's house is
on next street directly behind chemical
concern. Here Sturgis gains admission,
away"
CHAPTER XYNI-Sturgis has come to
get rear view Of chemical office but gives
az his reason desire for interview with
chemist regarding recent experiments.
Murdoch asks reBorter into laboratory,
but Sturgis remembers engagement and
excuses himself.