Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-09-07
SYNOPSIS.

York CITY,. Time. early evening last day
Of year. Gable train collides with cab.
o G ans
dead is discovered. stnrgis, reporter ex.
amines cab and surroundings.
CHAPTER II-Later that evening, at
stag dinner party, Sturgis. 10 impromptu
discussion. maintains reliability of cir.
cumstantial evidence. DR.. Murdock. fao
nous chemist wagers In reply $1,000 to SLIGO
that from any daily paper he can select an
CHAPTER ITI-Caso selected is of two
or near Knlckerbocker bank. Man had
been seen running from bank with valIsc,
md arrested. Man said he stole valise
from bank steps and was shot at. Valtse
contained nothing of interest
CHAPTER IV--Sturgis secures appoint-
ment with Dunlap, president Of bank, to
then induces his friend DIR. Thurston to
come to his rooms while he arrangcs 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 so years old re-
ceiying good salary; (2) wound caused by
bullet fred a. at close quarters; q might
occurred In cab; (D right arm broken BY
heavy Instrument: and g. cabman was
drugged, and young man who escaped in
volved IN some way In crime. Cab mys-
terry also noted as possible sequel to bank
CHAPTER vI-stursis calls for sprague.
vestigation at bank, but artist has appoint
ment with some fair sitter whose portrait
ne c Il Tskanf. VII Agnes Muraock IN
charge of her fathers household since her
mothers death) finds her father in his
study. She In reply to e question CONCERN
shows her dislike Of tho persistent a suitor
Her father intimates she shall not be fur
!h~- hothared-
\ CHAPTER vIII-Ailss Murdock's final
sitting for. portrait induces artist to ask
privilege Of calling at her home. which she
readily grpain a Bel6oy brings note for
ance, and she drops it. It remains forgot forgot
ten when she leaves studio.
CHAPIER 1Am-Promptiy at time agreed
PI Dun apa meets sturgs Reporter begins
volver In bookkeeper's desk shows two
"Have you the key to the desk2"
"Yes," replied the banker.
"Will you kindly see if the revolver
you mention is in its placer"
1T ought to be-" said Dunlap, pick
ing out the key on bunch which he
took from his pocket, and walking to-
wards the cashiers department. with
sturgis at his heels.
"Yes, here 1t is In Its accustomed
place."
He handed 1t to the reporter, who ex-
amined 1t attentively.
Exactly" said Sturgis, with salts
faction; "this Ia what I was looking
for"
(. what do you mean" asked Dunlap.
= Il mean that this is the revolver
which was fred twice last night in the
two Of the cartridges are empty, and
the weapon has not been cleaned since
these shots were fred."
But who can have fred the pistol,
and at whom was it fred, and why?"
Hold onl hold onl" exclaimed stur-
gis, smiling, zone thing at time. We
shall perhaps come to that soon. For
the present, If you will come back to
your private Office, shall endeavor to
piece together the scraps Of evidence
which I have been able to collect.
There, sit down in your own armchair,
II you will, while At these bits Of pa
per together; and in less than ten
minutes ! shall probably be ready to
proceed with my story"
Dunlap was still nervous and impa-
tient; but all trace of amusement and
skepticism had vanished from his face.
as he took the proffered armchair and
watched Sturgis patiently piece to-
gether the tiny fragments of paper he
had SO carefully gathered. When this
work was accomplished, the reporter
went to the typewriter and wrote a few
lines on sheet of paper. He next pro-
ceeded to examine under the micro
scope the minute fragments and parti-
oles which he had collected in his
search.
When he had finished this operation,
he leaned back in his chair and looked
up into space for what seemed to Dun
lap an interminable length of time.
Then ct last he glanced at the banker,
who could hardly contain his growing
impatience.
Il am ready to go on now" said
sturgis, reaching for o sheet of paper.
upon which. he began to draw with
ruler and pencil.
"At last!" sighed the banker.
Yes, but my first, as the charades
say, Is question"
"Anotherl' gasped Dunlap; when is
my turn to come?''
Just few more" replied sturgis,
and then your turn will come for
good"
well, out with your questions then,
II you must" said Dunlap, seating him
self resignedly in his chair.