Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-07-25
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) THE STURGIS WAGER :
J A DETECTIVE STORY. Z
J BY EDGAR MoRETTE. (
Copyright 1880. by Frederick A. Stokes Co. y
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IL SYNOPSIS.
CHATTER Scene Of story is In New
of year. Gable train collides with cab,
throwing to ground cabman and passen-
ger also seated outside. Lattor disappears;
dead is discovered. Sturgis, reporter. ex-
nmines cab and surroundings.
CHAPTER II-Later that evening. at
stag dinner party, .Sturgis, In impromptu
: cumstantial evidence. DIR. Murdoch, ia
nous chemist, wagers In reply 5000 to 500
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 Nalisc.
and arrested. Man. said he stole ya!ise
contained nothing of interest.
CHAPTER IV-Sturgis secures appoints
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.
CHATTER v.From observations made
reporter has, concluded: O dead man in
cab was bookkeeper about 80 years old re-
seiXing good salary; t2) wound caused hy
have shot himself: "a shooting had not
occurred in cab; 81 right arm broken by
heavy instrument; and (6) cabman was
drngged. and young man who escaped In
VOWED In some way in crime. Cab mys-
terry also noted as possible sequel to bank
mystery.
CHAPTER yI-Sturgis calls for Sprague,
artist friend to get his company during In.
vestlgation at bank. but artist has appeint-
ment with some fair sitter whose portrait
he is making.
CHAPTER VII = Agnes Murdoch I'm
charge of her fathers household since her
Mothers dpnthl finds hpr IN t,
Ing attentions of n Thomas Chatham,
shows her dislike of the persistent sutton.
Aer rather tntimateS she shall not be fur
Their bothered.
CHAPTER VIII-Niss Murdocks final
eis,t .g Tor portrait Induces artist to ask
privilege OF calling at her home. which she
Agnes. This is read with evident annoy
ance, and she drops it. 1t remains forgot
ten when she leaves studio.
CHAPTER 1X.Promptly at time agreed
dunlap meets Stursis. Reporter begins
long and careful examination in bank RE
voiver In bookkceper's desk shows two
empty cartridges.
s CHA,PTER N-Examination completed.
Sturgis questions banker regarding relia-
bllity OF Arbogast, head bookkeeper then
announces Arbogast to be defaulter with
chatham. accountant who has frequently
examined condition of books, us accom-
nlice. Message Arbogast sent Chatham
deciphered from marks on blotter.
CHAPTER xI-Reporter has now COM
pleted diagram showing movements of
whose Identity is as yet completely veiled
Arbogast at last moment had found note
which caused him to suspect his accom-
niice; He fired wounding him in hand and
snnirator rushed In and struck his arm.
This action resulted in turning weapon and
making Arbogast shoot himself: Dunlap
later Identifying body of Arbogast at
merGue.
CHAPTER x1I-Banker calls upon Mrs.
Are9EaS While with her she receives let
falefaon and expected hight. He has by
mistake allowed a depositor to over1lrnw
taSo nt en- Chatham has discovered mis-
CAST allows himself to be used by Chatham
and Mr.. Seymour: By false entries Sey-
mopr has drawn $3.50 1000; 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-rhe afternoon of crime
phone. Sturgfs earns he had been con-
nected wish the Manhattan Chemical COM
p pa mysterious concern not known to
commercial agencies. At office of chemical
concern Sturgis places detectives.
CHAPTER X1v-Sprague next morning
IN ie5ter MISS Murdoch had dropped in
ms studio. and decides to return 1t In per-
CHAPTER KYLE reaches her home.
and 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; IF | don't marry you. no one
ever shall After Chatham leaves, Agnes
soon comforted by her now accepted lover.
Sprague.
CHAPTER xyI-Sturgis traces Chat.
mans movements as far as DIR. Thurston's
mousse Doctor had Just developed Roent-
gen ray photograph showing position of
bullet In ACCOUNTANTS forearm