Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-09-28
SYNOPSIS.


CHAPTER -Scene, of story Is In New
York city. Time, early evening, last day
Of year. Gable train collides with cob.
throwing to ground cabman and passen-
then, inside the cab, body of man shot
q a Is discovered. Sturgis reporter, ex-
( anes cab and surroundings
tag dinner party. Sturgis. in impromptu
discussion. maintains reliability of cir
cumstantial evidence. DR.. Murdoch, fa.
nous ,hot che chemist wagers IN reply h so to sloo
unsolyable riddle. Sturgis takes bet
CHAPTER 1II-Case selected is OF two
mysterious shots fired that afternoon in
or near Enickerbockcr bank. Man had
been seen running from bank with valise,
and arrested. Man. said he stole valise
from bank steps and was shot at. Vnlise
contained nothing of interest.
CHAPTER Iy--Sturgis. secures appoint
ment with Dunlap. president Of bank, to
visit scene Of shooting early next morning,
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: q dead man in
ceiying good salary; (2) wound caused BY
bullet fred at close quarters (9) might
have shot himself; a. shooting had not
Ssavy Instrument; and Is st cab sensA wax a
drugged, and young man who escaped In
volved In some way In crime. Cab mys-
terry also noted as possible sequel to bank
i CHAPTER vI-sturgis calls for sprague,
artist friend, to get his company during In
vestigation at bank but artist has appoint
CHAPTER VII - Agnes Murdoch I'm
charge OF her fathers household since her
mothers death) finds her father In his
study. She. In reply to question concern
ing attentions OF a Thomas Chatham,
shows her dislike Of the persistent sutton.
Her father intimates she shall not be fur
CHAPTER vIII-Miss Murdock's final
sitting for. portrait induces artist to ask
Rsadys g q beb asf fSs Brings wn os
Agnes. This is read with evident annoy
ance, and she drops It.. 1t remains forgot
ten. when she leaves studio.
CHAPTER Ix-Promptiy at time agreed
Dunlap meets .sturgis. Reporter begins
long and careful examination In bank. Re
volver in bookkeeper's desk shows two
CHAPTER x-Examination completed,
bility OF Arpogast. head bookkeeper, hsn
Chatham, accountant who has freauen iii,
examined condition OF books, as accorn.
plice. Message Arbogast sent Chatham
decinhered from marks on blotter.
CHAPTER XI-Reporter has now COM
pleted diagram showing movements 81
Arbogast and Chatham and one Other
whose Identity Is as yet completely yelled
whlcR Caused him to suspect his aec aSss
nlice., He fired wounding him in hand ana
YVES ABOUT TO fre again when unknown con-
sniTator rushed IN and struck his arm,
making Arbogast shoot himself, Dunlap
Is incredulous. but yerifles story In part 81
later Identifying body of Arbogast at
GaAPT!ER2, r.; HII-Banaker calls upon Mrs.
tArpogaast While with her she receives let
feloation and expected flight. He has by by
mistake allowed depositor to overdraw
eccount Chatham has discovered mis-
CAST allows himself to be used by Cha thai
ana MI. Seymour. By false entries Sey.
mour has drawn $780, 600. Change In method
matter Arbogast tells his wife to Give
Dunlap confession as soon as he has e es-
CHAPTER xIII-The afternoon Of crime
? Chatham had had occasion to use toIe-
hsesa St sERs M saIns he had Seep
rany. mysterious concern not known to
commercial agencies. Al office of chemical
concern Sturgis places detectives.
nnds 1ettaS M kiTMSpragueh next morning
his studio. and decides to return 1t in per-
son,
CHAPTER NV.-He reaches her home,
a1d is announced Just in time to interfere
forced his attentions upon Agnes. and with
dangerous looking paper knife In hand has
declared: IF ! don't marry you, no ono
eyer shall" After Chatham leaves, Agnes
gives way TO hysterical weeping, but is
SpraRue. -
CHAPTER NVI-Sturgis traces Chat.
hams movements as far as DR.. Thurston' :
e nov r.y po}St9r had just developed Roent.
huilet In accountants forearm.
CHAPTER xYII-Reporter now goes to
vicinity of Manhattan Chemical office. De-
tectives report Chatham to have twice
entered the place. but not seen to have
come out either time. Murdock's house is
on next street directly behind chemical
concern. Here Sturgis gains admission.
ana overhears Chatham.s excited voice
away-"