Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-06

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the basement at a quarter after five.
So l just settled myself out here and
waited. Well. / waited and waited, but
there wasn't any sign of Chatham, and
when Flagler came along to relieve me
at ten o'clock Chatham hadn't come
out yet. Flagler he spotted the place
until six this morning, and then Conk
lin took his turn again until two
o'clock, when / came on for my watch
Just as Conklin was telling me how
things stood, who should come down
the street but Chatham himself, large
as life"
'Down the street?" exclaimed Stur.
gis.
"Yes, sir. And up he goes, as if moth
ing had happened, and into the Man
haitian Chemical company's place
again."
HE had put up the back-door game
on you" said the reporter.
Eyes, sir; just what said to Conll
lin. So, quick as a wink, l sent hin
around the block to keep his eye
peeled on the next street, and waitec
here. And here I've been ever since
II Conklin isn't on the block above, il
must be because Chatham has made
tracks again. and he after him"
"IH go and find out" said Sturgis
'sHas anyone else called at the Man,
haitian Chemical company's Office since
you have been on watch?"
''No, sir; but couple of hours age
an express wagon came along and de
livered long wooden box; might have
been chemicals for the wholesale de-
partment, for it was lowered to the eel.
lar by the hoist in the areaway. The
blond young man receipted for the
box"
very well, Shrady. Hang on little
while longer, and shall have you re
lieved just as soon as possibly can"
So saying, the reporter, who had
been pretending to look through his
pockets for coin, ostentatiously
slipped nickel into the outstretched
palm before him. The light seemed tc
die out of the sharp eyes of the detect
i've, and it was the miserable drunkaro
WIZ oAAS plSh W lIlS PltiSC o1l tllS
stoop next to the station, unmindful OF
the gibes of the young rowdies congre'
gated there.
Sturgis walked up to the next street
where he found second detective or
duty.
Anything new, Conklin?" he asked
mo, sir; he's been lying low; looks
like he knew he was spotted this
time
Good. Stay here until / can notify
the police that we have run down the
quarry. 1t will be necessary to obtain
a search warrant for the Manhattan
Chemical company's place. In the
meantime, if Chatham should attempt
to make tracks, hang on to him like
his shadow and send back word here as
soon as you can
All right, SIR
Sturgis, after leaving Conklin
walked along the street which the de
tective was watching and carefully in
spected every house on the block. AL
most all were huge office buildings; but
here and there an old-fashioned brown.
stone front stood out conspicuously
against the broad expanse of brick
walls and iron columns Halfway
down the street one of these old houses
stood well back from the street line
behind small garden. The reporter
stood near this and read the numbers
on the adjoining buildings.
"This is directly back of the Man
haitian Chemical company's Office" he
unused. Il wonder who lives here. I,
looks like respectable place enough
One could obtain good view of the
rear of the Manhattan Chemical com
pany's Office from the back windows
Him"
He stood thoughtfully considering
what pretext he could use to gain ad
mission to the house, when suddenly
he became aware of the presence OF
man who had approached with
noiseless steps.
"Ah, is that you, Mr.. sturgis?" sale
the calm, sardonical voice of DR.. Muir
dock.
The reporter started inwardly, but
gave no outward sign of surprise.
Were you about to do me the honor
of calling?" continued the chmeist.
EYES," said Sturgis, deliberately;
II was about to seek an interview
with you. Can you spare a few min
utes?"
"Who is it that asks for the inter
view?' inquired Murdoch, with quie1
sarcasm. is it Mr.. Sturgis, gentle
man; Mr.. Sturgis, reporter, or -"
Sturgis met cold CLEAN from Muir
docks inscrutable eyes.
"Or Mr.. Sturgis, the famous de
tective?" continued the chemist will
an imperceptible sheer.
II represent the Tempest" replied
the reporter, quietly.
Murdoch glanced carelessly up ant
down the street. There was no on,
in sight.
oh! very WE'LL" he said, taking ou1
his latchkey and leading the way tt
the house; "come into my study ant
let me hear what can do for the
Tempest"
On entering the house Murdoch mo
toned Sturgis to the door leading