The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-09-20


and a typewriter on the other showed
that the chemist kept in touch also
with the outside world.
Murdock's interlocutor, whoever he
had been, had disappeared. But how?
The question interested Sturgis, and
his mind at once began to seek an
answer to it,
There were three doors leading
from the study. One of these was the
one by which Murdoch and Sturgis
had just entered from the hall. No
one could have passed out that way
without meeting them.
Then there were the folding doors
leading into the library; but, as the
door leading from the library to the
hall had remained slightly ajar, Stur-
gis felt sure that he would have heard
the man had he gone out by that
way.
( The third door led to a small ex-
tension.
''He must have gone into the eX-
tension" thought Sturgis.
The only alternative was an exit
! through the windows. This in itself
would not have presented any special
difficulty; for the distance to the
Tagging below was hardly more than
II or - feet. But the yard, which
was of diminutive size on account of
the space allotted to the garden on
the street, was inclosed by an I'M
usually high fence, protected by a
row of sharp and closely set spikes.
These looked so formidable that the
thought of anyone attempting to
scale the fence Instantly suggested
visions of impaled wretches writing
in oriental tortures. The only pos
sible exit from the yard, therefore,
seemed to be through the Easements:
that is to say, past the kitchen and
the servants department.
All these thoughts flashed through
the reporters brain in small frac-
ton of the time which is required to
record them. They occurred to him
unbidden. while his conscious efforts
were cent cred upon discovering how
Chatham had managed to escape from
the rear of the Manhattan Chemical
company's building,
This Sturgis recognized without
much difficulty. 1t was directly in
line vita the house in which he now
was. and its yard did not differ from
the neigh boring ones, the fences of
which could be scaled without much
trouble. Chatham evidently might
have passed into any one of several
buildings which lacked the protection
fectually guarded the approach to
Murdocks house from the rear.
One point, however, was pulling.
Why should Chatham take the trou-
bile and the risk of scaling fences in
broad daylight, only to return a few
hours later by the street door under
the very noses of the detectives from
whom he had presumably wished to
escape? There seemed to be no plaus-
ible answer to this question.
But Sturgis was not given much
/ time in which to consider it; for Muir
dock. who had waited for him to
breach the subject of his interview,
now coldly remarked:
Perhaps. Mr.. Sturgis, you will be
good enough TO inform me to what
] owe the honor of this visit?"
! Sturgis took as 2 preteXt the first
subject which came into his mind.
Doctor" said he, Il have been told
that you were engaged in a series of
brilliant chemical researches; that
you had proved, or were on the point
of proving that several. at least. of
the so-called elementary metals are
compounds; thus ushering in the
realization of the dream of the al
c'@D.'a.s--tAc transmutation OF mot
! Is
; You have not come here 20 int r
view me a. The suD.lect Of my chemica
! searci - laughed AugGCck.
, 10y not?"
"ircause ! gave you credit for pos
/ sessrHs The scientific spirit. \ man
spends years IN making a series of 90
I haustire elpt iments, and refrains
! from advancing any theory until be
has built up an elaborate monument of
cold facts; and you ask him to make
premature report, 10 be spread broad
cast in sensational sheet, with all the
embellishments which an unbridled re
portorial Imagination can add to ii.
No sir, my report, when il is ready,
will be made through the proper chan
nels, am surprised that one who
passes for a man Of science should be
willing to make such "A request"
If Murdoch intended to gall the re-
porter he succeeded; for, modest as he
was, Sturgis prided himself above al,
thing. upon the scientific value OF his
work in all its aspects. He manifested
no external sign of annoyance. how
ever, as he answered. with a smile:
y am rot a man Of science now, but
only a reporter
''ln that ease replied Murdocll "let
us talk Of something else. / should be
pleased to discuss my chemical re.
snrchCaUith ~. Stu sis. The scientist;
out with Mr., sturgis. the reporter,
should peter 20 talk about sClsctaIng
in his liue Of knowledge; let me see
snail we say taa 4 ckcrJocker bani.