The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-09-27

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to force it in.
wait minute, said Sturgis; ''let
me see if | cannot open it,"
The detective stepped aside with a
quizzical expression upon his face.
II guess you will find it pretty solid
for your weight" said he.
The reporter took from his pocket a
piece of bent wire, and, with a few
dexterous turns of the wrist. he shot
the bolt of the lock.
"You would make an expert cracks
man." said the detective. Il didn't
know you possessed that accomplish
ment in addition to all your other
ones"
The four men entered the private
Office. The room was quite dark, the
shutters being closed and the blinds
drawn. AS their eyes became accus-
toned to the obscurity they were able
10 distinguish the outlines of desk,
table. and few chairs.
Sturgis went at once TO a door in
the corner. With the aid of his skel.
eton key he had soon thrown this
open. After peering for an instant
into the darkness, he took from his
! pocket a candle, which he lighted
Then. reckoning to his companions
he started cautiously TO descend. The
other men followed him and soon
found themselves in the cellar, which
they proceeded to search.
On the street side there was a recess
extending for a few feet under the
ara in front of the house The open
ing above was covered by an iron graf
ing, over which was a wooden cover
! securely fastened on the inside by a
chain and paddock. A number of car
boys were carefully piled along the
east wall to within a few feet from
the rear of the building Here, in the
northeast corner. rose narrow shelly
ing. on which were arranged a collec-
ton of bottles containing a varied as
sortment of chemicals.
The detectives searched the cellar.
Our man is not here, at any rate"
said the leader, when at last he had re-
turned to the foot of the stairs; per
haps he'll try to give MS the slip by
way Of the roof. Come along. jim;
let's go upstairs now. Hello! what are
YOU doing there. Mr.. Sturgis? Think
you'll find him in one of those bottles ?"
The reporter appeared to be closely
inspecting the chemicals on the mar
row shelves.
"Who knows?" he replied, coolly,
continuing his examination.
/ The detective bit his lip and looked
: the unpleasant things he thought il
! best not TO say.
well, Jim and | will take a look
upstairs while you are busy here"
And the two men went up the dark
stairway. Sprague remaining behind
with the reporter.
None so blind as those that won't
/ see.' said the latter, sententiously.
At the same time he placed his hand
! upon one of the shelves and gave ii a
! lateral push, 1t responded slightly
/ and the entire shelving, with the door
which it concealed, opened outward.
Il thought So" continued the re-
! porter; this looks as If it might lead
[ somewhere VIII you come, Sprague?''
How did You find the combination
so quickly@" asked the artist, prepar-
ing to follow his friend.
/ 1T is not a combination-oHly a
concealed bolt. Our friends OF the de
tective force might have discovered it
! themselves if they had taken the trou-
bic. The first thing noticed was that
truck had recently been wheeled
| through the cellar in the direction of
! this door, from under the grating on
| the street side. And this truck was
not here: neither was large case
| which we know was delivered here to-
| day. The trail extended clear up to
the wall below the shelving; and yet
/ TO truck, even unloaded. could pass
| below lowest shelf The conclusion
was evident | sounded the back of the
| shelving and found that it covered an
| opening of some kind. After that. all
| that remained was to notice that one
! OF the shelves was slightly soiled in
! just one spot, as though by the re-
! peated contact of hand. From this, |
| urgued that the bolt must be attached
W lIil' 'pdl u. MN IT WIS, 1 nat IL All
AS he spoke, the reporter entered a
dark and narrow passage.
Don't shut the door" said he to his
| companion, who followed him.
At that moment, however. the artist
stumbled: and, instinctively holding
| out his hands 10 save himself from fall
ing, he released his hold OF the door,
which closed with slam.
THAT is unfortunate" said Sturgis:
1--WE may Ia to lose some time in
! learning how to work the bolt from
this side. Hold on; it will be prudent
to keep open line of retreat in case
OF Unforeseen emergencies. Hello! we
are in luck. Nothing concealed on this
side; the bolt in plain sight; works
easily. AIS well. Then let us go on;
unless | am greatly mistaken. we shah
| find another exit on the other side"
After following the underground
passage for some distance the men
| climbed some steps and reached n
| quGrc chamber, on one side Of which
rose stairway leading TO a door
/ =.