Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-10-19

ist, and for the space of few sesons=s
the two men looked steadily into each
others souls.
Then sudden light flashed across
Sturgis' brain, and he started percepti-
bly,. At the same time he thought he
saw shadow cross Murdock's impas-
sive features; but in this he might have
been mistaken, for when he looked
again the chemist was regarding him
with an air of m Id curiosity.
us anything the matter, Mr. Stur-
gis?' he asked.
only sudden thought" carelessly
replied Sturgis, who 10 all appearances
had completely recovered from the mo-
mentary shock produced by the sud
denness Of the suspicion which had
crossed his mind. "Nour mention of
the Knickerbocker bank mystery re-
minded me of something, that is ALL"
Ever since Sprague's dinner" said
Murdoch, 81 have been devoting all my
spare time 10 the reading of the Tenn
pest, in the hope of finding there SEN
sational account, with glazing head
lines, of the brilliant work Of our dis
tinguished reporter, Mr.. Sturgis.'"
Sturgis made no reply. His eyes were
fixed upon the typewriter which stood
near Murdock's desk.
up TO the present time" continued
Murdoch, 81 have not seen anything to
cause me 10 worry about my stakes"
81 have still 2s days in which 10 com
plete my case" said Sturgs.
True" replied Murdoch well, I
wish you luck. If can render YOU any
assistance in your Investigations /
hope you will call upon me. In the
cause of science | would willingly jeop-
ardze my stakes. For instance, if you
need TO consult any works Of reference,
my library is at your disposal. l am
told that, at least on the subjects in
which you are interested, ii is quite
complete"
He observed the reporter narrowly,
as if to mark the effect of his words.
1T is" replied Sturgis, after an al
most imperceptible hesitation; Il have
already admired it,"
ILhNth' Sdlb ulNONht LID
brows in mild surprise.
YES; stepped into the library for
a few minutes while l was waiting for
you"
"Ah! yes; l see"
Murdoch gave the reporter another
searching look. Then he leant back
in his easy chair with half-closed eyes
and silently pulled away at his cigar
for a few minutes.
Had Sturgis been able 10 read the
sinister thoughts which were passing
through the mind Of this impassive
man as he sat apparently in lazy en-
joyment Of his fragrant Havana. il is
probable that he might have lost some
of the interest which he seemed sud
deply 10 have developed in the type
writer. But he was busy with his own
train Of thought, and therefore was
not paying any particular attention TO
Murdock.
Presently the chemist spoke again:
ION second thoughts, Mr.. Sturgis, If
you will step into my laboratory l
shall be pleased 10 show you those Of
the results of my recent researches
which are ready for publication"
The reporter was surprised at this
sudden change Of front, and perhaps a
trifle suspicious. for he was beginning
TO weld together many hitherto iso-
lated facts into strong chain which
was leading him from the Knicker-
booker bank and Chatham, through the
Manhattan Chemical company, 10 the
emotionless man in whose presence he
now stood. Some important links
were missing, however. and Sturgis
could not afford TO lose any chance Of
making the chain complete.
lie therefore accepted Murdock's in
vitation, in the hope of making some