Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-02

with growing anxiety. At last he
abandoned the search and returned in
the direction Of the square chamber.
THAT explains why he wanted to
shut me in here when | was in his
Office" he muttered under his breath.
What is the matter?" asked
Sprague
1--WE are caught like rats in a trap, y
replied Sturgis. Then with feeling he
added: IL do not know how this will
end, old man. | have bungled, and
fear the game is lost If our lives are
the forfeit, you will owe your death TO
my stupidity"
Spraguc looked at his friend, as if
surprised to hear him apparently
abandon the fight.
Don't worry about me- he said,
kindly; II came here Of my own free
will. But" he added, as a vision Of
Agnes Murdoch flashed upon his mind,
II have no intention to die just yet,
if / can help it. Are we not both able
bodied men and armed? What can one
man do against two?"
at is not an open fight" said Stur-
gis, but l am glad 10 see your spirit.
l do not give up; but | want you to
realize that we{a care in critical situa-
ton, with the odds enormously against
us"
"Why, what can Murdock do?'
"Perhaps what he did TO Chatham.
1t will probably not be long before we
discover what that was"
But there must be some way of
opening that door from the inside"
said Sprague.
There evidently is none" replied
Sturgis; "he probably controls these
doors from the outside by electrical
connection"
The men were back in the square
chamber. Sturgis eyes were rowing
restlessly over the walls, ceiling and
floor in search OF a loophole of escape.
There is no chance to reach the sky
light without a ladder; and even if we
could reach il, we should be no fur
ther advanced, as ii woHld be impos-
slble 10 make any impression on the
steel shutters. That leaves the regis
ter and the speaking tube. While
y y
the tube If it connects with the Man
haitian Chemical company's Office,
there il n bare chance that we may at
tract the attention of the detectives
whom we left there"
"As we were saying Mr. Sturgis-"
The words came in Murdock's mock
ing tones.
Sturgis quickly held the lighted can
die above his head and peered in the
direction whence came the sound y
panel of the door at the head of the
stairs had been pushed up, revealing
small opening, covered b. strongand
closely-wovcn wire netting.
AS we were saying, murder viii
out" Nevertheless, it is sometimes
easier to weld a chain, even OF c.rcum-
stantial evidence, than it is to pre-
dict who Will be bound in it,"
Sturgis and Sprague stood in the
glimmering light of the candle. silent
~ watching the glowing eyes behind
the screen.
MIR. Sturgis. you are a clever man."
continued Murdoch. IAN uncommonly
clever man. l frankly admit that
had moderated your ability. But then
we are all fallible, after all. made my
share Of blunders, as you seem TO have
discovered; but you will doubtless now
concede that your own course has not
been entirely free from errors. And
now that we have reached the conclu-
sion Of this interesting game, l have
the honor TO announce: Mate in one
novel Perhaps you are surprised that
| should take the trouble 10 explain the
to you so clearly. DO so in
recognition of your superior intelli-
gence. | see in you peer. If matters
could have been so arranged. | should
have been proud TO work in harmony
with such a man as you, and indeed,
when a short time ago invited YOU 10
my laboratory, it was my intention TO
offer You d compromise which hoped
| might be abe TO persuade you TO ac
cept | fell that you would prove an
ally who could be trusted. But, alas,
that is impossible now, on account of
your friends presence. With all due
respect TO Mr.. Sprayue, as an amiable
man Of the world and a prince of good
fellows, it may be said that he is not
one Of us. Mnc,r - my sorrow, there
lore' am left no altvi native 10 'he
ca Curse am about to adopt. he fault
IL anybody's, is your own, after ALL Mr.
Sprague. There is homely but eX-
pressive adage concerning the danger
of 'monkeying' with buzz saw. why /
nv dear friend, did you monkey with
Mr.. Sturgis' buzz saw, instead OF stick
ing to your palette and maulstick'
But | fear | am growing garrulous'
gentlemen. If had time, should IKE
to explain 70 Mr.. sturgis the detalis
of some of the more important, and IN
my humble opinion. more brilliant
schemes of which I have been the-ah
the promoter; for | dislike TO be
Judged by the bungling operations
,,-b;cb have so nearly caused me TO lose