The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-10-04
SYNOPSIS.

OF year. CaDlG Train COlllleS with Idbb
throwing to ground cabman and passen-
ger also seated outside Latter disappears;
then, inside the cab, body of man shot
dead is discovered SturgiS, reporter, ex-
amines cab and surroundings.
CHAPTER II-Later that evening, at
stag dinner party, Sturgis. In impromptu
discussion, maintains reliablllty OF CT
cumstantial evidence. DR.. Murdock, Ia
NOUS chemist, wagers in reply 5000 to SloO
that from any daily paper he can select an
unsolvable riddle. Sturgis takes bet
CHAPTER III-Case selected is of two
mysterious shots fired that afternoon in
or near Knickerbocker bank. Man had
been seen running from bank with valise,
and arrested Man said he stole yanse
from bank steps and was shot at. Valise
contained nothing OF interest.
CHAPTER IV-Sturgis secures appoint
ment with Dunlap. president of bank: to
visit scene of shooting early next morning,
then induces his friend DR.. Thurston to
come to his rooms while he arranScs data
of the two strange cases.
CHAPTER v-From observations made
thus far and inductive reasoning thereon
reporter has concluded % dead man in
cab was bookkeeper about 30 years old re-
ceiving Good salary; (2l wound caused by
bullet fired at close quarters; 60 might
have shot himself; a. shooting had not
occurred in cab; 90 right arm broken by
heavy instrument; and (0 cabman was
drugged and young man who escaped in
voved in some way in crime. Cab myS-
terry also noted as possible sequel to bank
mystery.
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 Murdoch lin
charge of her fathers household since her
mothers DEATH finds her father in his
study. She, in reply to questonconcern-
ing attentions of a Thomas Chatham,
shows her dislike of the persistent sutton.
Her father intimates she shall not be fur
Their bothered
fin
sitting for portrait induces artist to ask
privilege of calling at her home. which she
really b s. Be9 %b prpfs n9 60r
ance. and she drops 1t. 1t remains forgot
ten when she leaves studio.
CHAPTER 1X-Promptly a time agreed
Dunlap meets Sturgis. Reporter begins
long and careful examination in bank. Re-
volver in bookkeeper's desk shows two
empty cartridges
CHAPTER X-Examination 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
decipherod from marks on a blotter.
CHAPTER XI-Reporter has now COM
pleted diagram showing movements of
ArbogaSt and Chatham and one other
whose identity Is as yet completely yelled.
Arbogast at last moment had found a note
which caused him to suspect his accom-
pice He fred wounding him in hand and
wasabout to fire again when unknown con-
spirator rushed in and struck his arm:
This action resulted in turning weapon and
making Arbogast shoot himself. Dunlap
is incredulous but verifes story in part by
later Identifying body of Arbogast at
morgue,
CHAPTER XII-Banker calls upon Mrs.
Arbogast While with her she receives let
ter written by her husband telling of de-
falcation and expected flight. He has by
mistake allowed depositor to overdraw
account. Chatham has discovered mis-
take, and for fear of losing position Arbo-
CAST allows himself to be used by Chatham
and a Mr.. Seymour. BY false entries Sey-
mour has drawn $25O,OOO. Change in method
of book keeping was about to expose the
matter. Arbogast tells his wife to give
Dunlap confession as soon as he has es-
capped.
CHAPTER .XIII-The afternoon of crime
Chatham had had occasion to use tele-
phone. Sturgis learns he had been con-
nected with the Manhattan Chemical COM
pany, a mysterious concern not known to
commercial agencies. At Office of chemical
concern Sturgts places detectives.
CHAPTER NIF-Sprague next morning
finds letter Miss Murdoch had dropped In
his studio, and decides to return it in per-
CHAPTER KYLE reaches her home
Fnd is announced Just in time to interfere
with implied threat of Chatham, who has
forced his attentions upon Agnes and with
dangerous looking paper knife in hand has
declared "lf | don't marry you. no one
ever shall" After Chatham leaves Agnes
gives way 10 hysterical weeping, Tut is
soon comforted by her now accepted lover,
Sprague.
CHAPTER XVI-sturgis traces Chat
hams movements as far as DIR. Thurston's
house. Doctor had Just developed Roent-
gen ray photograph showing position of
outlet in accountants forearm.
CHAPTER XVII-Reporter now goes to
vicinity of Manhattan Chemical office De-
fectives report Chatham TO have twice
entered the place, but not seen to have
come out either time. Murdocks house is
hah Oh tool
concern. Here Srrgis gains admission
and overhears Chatham's excited voice
threatening Ito give the whole thing
away"
CHAPTER XNIII-Sturgis has come tc
get rear view OF chemical office, but gives
as his reason desire FOR interview with
chemist regarding recent experiments
Murdoch asks reporter into laboratory
but Sturgis remembers engagement and
excuses himself.
CHAPTER XIX-Meeting Sprague out
side the two go for warrants and police to
search chemical concern. Arriving Stur-
gis with skeleton key opens two doors.
then leaving police and detectives he and
Sprague descend to cellar, follow an un-
foreground passage and come to Murdock's
laboratory Here is found a vat from
which reporter carefully fishes out n Bit
Of lead which appears to be a nattened
bullet.
CHAPTER XX-sturgis finds vat con-
tains fluid that dissolves bone as well as
flesh The bullet just found shows how
Chatham had but little before met his
end Murdoch coming from above dis
covers the men, .SturGis fires but he re-
treats in safety.
punity in a city like New York, at the
end of the nineteenth century," asked
Sprague. aghast.
Yes; when it is done in the system
attic and scientific manner hat has been
employed here. For this murderer is
the most remarkable criminal of mod
ern times. He has not been satisfied
with killing his victims; he has sue
ceeded in completely wiping them out
IF existence. Criminals have often at
tempted to destroy the bodies Of their
victims, but they have never before sue
ceeded as this man has He is chem
ist of remarkable talent and he has
discovered a compound in which bone
as well as human tissue is rapidly and
totally dissolved There il is in yon-
der tank. See how completely the
liquid has destroyed the bone handle
Of this knife
Sturgis. after showing the damaged