Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-08-22
breath Of fresh air to renew his

1 girls attention.? If he whistled, MUIR
dock would answer himself, and the
last chance would be lost. But would
she hear shout? And, if she did. would
not her father prevent her from render
ing any assistance? Yet what other
chance was there? Poor Sprague was
dying; perhaps already dead. There
I was no time to lose.
He stood for awhile irresolute, and
had just made up his mind to risk all
on bold move, when suddenly Muir
| docks voice became more distinct. as If
he were passing near the mouth-piece
OF the speaking-tube ut the other end
II shall be back directly"
He was going then. Agnes, If 1t
were she, would remain alone for at
least an instant; and in TINT instant
lay possible salvation.
The reporter strained every nerve
to catch some other word. Mono
camo. But presently he heard a door
close. Murdoch had left tho room
Now or never was the chance to act.
With all his might he blew repeated
| ly into the tube.
"Well?"
The question came in the sweet
tones of n woman's voice.
Mr.. Sprague is in great danger.
You alone can save his life. If you
do at once rs / say. Go to the door
OF the extension; press upward on
the lower hinge; then turn tho knob!
Quick, before your father roturns,"
Sturgis evoked the image OF Muir
dock performing these operations boz
fore opening the door OF the extels
sion; and. with retrospective .ntui.
ton, OWNED their purpose.
There was no answer. Sturgis wait
ed for none. In bound he was at
his friends side and was struggling
to drag him toward the foot OF tho
stairs. As he reached this point. tho
door opened and revealed Agnes Mur.
dock, pale and frightened. on the
landing at the top.
The first rush of gas 6ausd her
to start back; but in another instant
she had caught sight of her lovcr:s
inanimate form and had rushed to his
assistance.
Suddenly u shadow fell ncross tho
threshold Of the open door. Sturgia
looked up in quick apprehension.
1t wns Murdoch.
He stood critically observing tho
scene, with all outward appearance of
Guinness.
Agnes had not seen him. She was
making desperate efforts to raise
sprague's limp form; but felt herself
succumbing to the effects of the gas.
MY darling! my poor darling." she
exclaimed and suddenly she stag
gered and lurched forward.
Sturgis made an instructive effort to
support her; but before he could
reach her Murdoch was at her sido
and had her In his arms. He bora
her gently up the stairs and into his
study. Then, for on instant, no
seemed to hesitate. The reporter en-
pected to see him close the door. In.
stinctively his hand reached bacle to
his hip pocket for his revolver. But,
In another moment. Murdoch had 10
turned to where he stood.
Come" he said.
AT the Same time he lifted the artist
In his arms and carried him up tho
staira. Sturgis followed unsteadily
and reached the study. only to fall
exhausted into chair.
Having deposited his burden upon
the floor, Murdoch closed the door Of
the death chamber; turned yalve
which was near his desk; opened tho
windows wide, and revolved q crank
which projected from the wall near
the door OF the extension.
.'He is shutting Off tho gas and
opening the steel shutters Of the eky,
light" thought sturgis.
Then the chemist produced flask
and poured out o small quantity OF
brandy, which he forced his daughter
to swallow.
AS soon ns she was sufficiently re.
vived, ehe rushed to tho side of her
lover, whose head she gently raised to
her lap. MurdockB eyes were fae
tened upon hey. She met bis calm
questioning gaze.
"Yes, love him." she said, simply.
Then this strange man, without an.
other word, gently pushed his daugh-
ter to one side and. throwing off bis
coat, stopped over the PROSTATE form
OF the man whose life he had tried to
take, and industriously worked over
him, In an attempt to restore the fall
ing respiration.
Slowly and steadily he worked for
what seemed an eternity to the anx-
ious girl. At length he rose, calm and
collected as usual. and Drew on his
coat again.
He is out Of danger now" he saids
"you can do the rest yourself"
And he handed his daughtey the
brandy fash.
A faint tinge Of color had returned
to the artists face, his breast heavel
gently In an irregular respiration.
Sturgs, still unable to stir from the
chair in which he had fallen, was
vaguely conscious of Murdock's movo-
ments. He saw the chemist open tho
safe which stood near his table and
take from 1t numerous bundles of
banknotes, which he carefully paclsed
into valise; he saw him take from
the same safe q few richly bound
notebooks, which he proceeded to do
up in neat bundle, securely tied and
senled.
This done, the chemist put on his
hat md coat, and was preparing 10
pass out into the hallway, when -
knock sounded upon the door.
Murdoch opened slightly--enougili
to show himself. without revealing
the presence of che other occupants
of the room.
1t was one of the housemaids.
"Plaze, sur" said the girl, In o
frightened voice, "the polacemun says
he emit wait no longepi he must sec
yer right away"
"Are they in the pariora"
"Only' the polacemun, sur; tho other
y,,oy, cotH ho 1x,o,,ld