The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-10-04
CHAPTER MI.
THE DEATH CHAMBER.

Before the men had gone many
steps a grating sound reached their,
ears from the direction of the sky
light. They looked up and saw slid
ing steel shutters slowly and ponder
ously close, like grim jaws; and sud
denly they felt themselves cut off
from the outside world.
Sturgis, taking up his lighted can
die, made his way to the door of the
subterranean passage and tried in
vain to open it; the heavy iron bolt
remained immovable in its socket.
Inch by inch he scrutinized the door
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.
I'VE are caught like rats in trap"
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"
Sprague looked at his friend, as if
surprised to hear him apparently
abandon the fight.
Don't worry about me-" he said.
kindly; Il came here of my own free
will. But" he added, as vision of
a mil n
Il 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|
1T is not an open fight" said Stur-
gis, but | am glad to see your spirit.
do not give up; but | want you to
realize that we are in critical situa-
ton, with the odds enormously against
Us"
"Why, what can Murdoch 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
restIessly over the walls. ceiling and
floor in search Of loophole Of escape.
There is no chance 10 reach the sky
light without a ladder; and even if we
could reach it, we should be no fur
Their advanced, as ii would be impos-
sible to make any impression on the
steel shutters. That leaves the regis
ter and the speaking tube. While
examine the register, suppose you try
the tube, If il connects with the Man
haitian Chemical compaLy's office,
there is a bare chance that we may at
tract the attention of the detectives
WHOM we left there"
"As we were saying, Nj. Sturgs-"
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
pane Of the door at the head of the
stairs had been pushed up, revealing
small opening, covered by strong and
closely-woven wire netting,
AS we were saying, murder will
out" Nevertheless, it is sometimes
easier to weld a chain, even of circum-
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.
Mr.. Sturgis, you are n clever man."
continued Murdoch, tan uucommonly
clever man. | frankly admit that /
had moderated your ability. But then
we are all fallible, after all. | made my
share Of blunders, as you seem 10 have
discovered; but you will doubtless now
conceGe that your own course has not
been entirely free from errors. And
now that we have reached the conclu-
sion Of this interesting game, have
the honor to announce: Mate in one
move' Perhaps you are surprised that
] should take the trouble TO explain the
situation TO you SO clearly. | do so in
recognition of your superior intelli-