Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-08-01

extending for n few feet under the
ara in front of the house. The OPEN
ing above was covered by an iron graft
ing, over which was wooden cover
securely fastened on the inside by a
chain and paddock. A number of car
boys were carefully piled along the
east wall to within q few feet from
the reer of the building. Here, in the
northeast corner, rose narrow shelly
ing, on which were arranged collec-
ton OF bottles containing varied as
sortment of chemicals.
The detectives searched the cellar.
Our man is not here, ut any rate"
said the leader, when Mt last he had re-
turned to the foot of the stairs; '.per-
haps he'll try to give us the slip by
way OF the roof. Come along, jim;
let's go upstairs now. Hello! what are
you doing there, Mr.. Sturgis? Think
you'll find him in one of those botties?"
The reporter appeared to be closely
inspecting the chemicals on the mar
row shelves.
who knows?" he replied, coolly,
continuing his examination.
The detective bit his lip and looked
the unpleasant things he thought it
best not to say.
well, Jim and I will take look
upstairs while you are busy here"
And the two men went up the dark
stairway, Sprague remaining behind
with the reporter.
StNnra I,l;rl mr. xl,a,a
see," said the latter, sententiously.
At the same time he placed his hand
upon one of the shelves and gave 1T q
lateral push. 1t responded slightly,
and the entire shelving, with the door
which it concealed, opened outward.
II thought So" continued the re-
porter; this looks as if it might lead
somewhere. Will you come, Sprague?"
How did you find the combination
SO quiclly?" asked the artist, prepar-
ing to follow his friend.
at is not combination-only q
concealed bolt. Our friends of the de-
tective force might have discovered it
themselves if they had taken the trou-
BILE. The first thing 1 noticed was that
truck had recently been wheeled
through the cellar in the direction of
this door, from under the grating on
the street side. And this truck was
not here; neither was large case
which we know was delivered here to-
day. The trail extended clear up to
the wall below the shelving; and vet
no truck, even unloaded, could pass
belowthatlowest shelf. The conclusion
was evident. I sounded the back of the
shelving and found that it covered an
opening Of some Lind. After that, all
that remained was to notice that one
OF the shelves was slightly sGlsd In
ixst enc spot, IN though " the re-
peated contact of hand. From this, I
urgued that the bolt must be attached
to this board. And it was. That is ALL"
AS he spoke, the reporter entered a
dark and narrow passage.
Don't shut the door," said he to his
companion, who followed him.
AT that moment, however, the artist
stumbled; and, instinctively holding
out his hands to save himself from fall
ing, he released his hold of the door,
which closed with slam.
"That is unfortunate" said Sturgis;
tive may haze to lose some time in
learning how to work the bolt from
this side. Hold on; it will be prudent
to keep open line of retreat, in case
of unforeseen emergencies. Hello! we
are in luck. Nothing concealed on this
cida. tho holt IN y>lo;p e;rhx, ,,,o,,l.-
easily. All's we'll Then let us go on;
unless am greatly mistaken, we shall
find another exit On the other side"
After following the underground
passage for some distance the men
climbed some steps and reached
square chamber, OH one side of which
rose stairway leading to door
above. The room was surmounted by
skylight, which was wide open, admit
ting araught of cold air from the
outside.
Sturgis get down his lighted candle
and proceeded to examine his sur
roundings. In the middle of the room
stood truck, upon which lay a long
pine box. A table and chair censti-
tuted the only furniture of the place.
AT one side there was long, low,
lead-lined tank, filled to the depth of
about two feet with dark viscous
liquid. Near it lay few empty car
boys. In the floor there was what
seemed to be hot-air register, of large
size and of peculiar construction. The
walls were bare, unbroken, save by the
projection of the mouthpiece of n
speaking tube, and by set of shelves
filled with TASKS, crucibles, alembics
and the other paraphernalia of chem
lists laboratory.
After the reporter had finished re-
connoitering he sat down upon the
long box in deep thought. Sprague OBJ
served him with silent curiosity for
awhile, and then, with growing impa-
tience:
II say, old man." he venturedl at last
to ask, did you bring me here, armed
to the teeth, to see you go off into u
tranceW
Sturgis started like u man suddenly
awakened from a deep sleep.
"Eh? What? Oh, yes-those conf
dences. Well, You start in with yours.
l am trying to find the denousment of
my story. 1 feel that it is just within
my grasp; and yet l cannot seem to
see it yet. But lean listen to you while
1 am thinking. Go on"
II have not any story to tell" said
6prague, somewhat Offended At his
friends apparent Indifference to what
he had to say.
"Oh, yes, you have" retorted Stur-
gis, with conciliatory smile; "you
said you had news to tell me. Well, tell
away. l am listening most respectful-
ly, in spite of my apparent absorb
ton"
what strange fellow you are, Stur-
gis," laughed sprague, good-naturedly.
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