Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-10-12
CHAPTER XVII.

y
the Knickerbocker bank case.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE QUARRY.
Half an hour later Sturgis was walk
ing briskly down Broadway, with his
usual air of absent-minded concentra-
ton. Presently he turned into a side
street and at once slackcned his pace.
He now sauntered along like lounger
at loss how to kill long, idle day.
The show window Of bric-a-brac shop
arrested his attention. He stopped TO
examine its contents.
a little farther up the street was
liquor saloon, outside Of which stood
group of boisterous young rowdies.
An older man, evidently in his cups,
was seated on an adjoining stoop,
where, with maudlin gravity, he seemed
to be communing with himself.
On the opposite side of the way stood
low, dilapidated brick house. a
painted sign over the windows of the
ground floor bore the name: IMAM
HAITIAN CHEMICAL CO."
The drunken man rose unsteadily to
his feet and approached Sturgis with
outstretched hand.
Say, Jimmy get on ter his nibs
strikin' de bloke fur a nickel ter git
medicine fur his sick mudder." ex-
claimed one Of the young rutiians.
The wretched-looking individual thus
designated seemed hardly able TO stand
as he steadied himself against an iron
railing; but the eyes he turned upon
Sturgis were bright with intelligence
and the words ne spoke were uttered in
a low. firm voice:
Hes been here-been here twice"
Twice" echoed Sturgs, surprised.
where is he now?'
II don't know"
You don't know"
NO, sir; but | guess Conkiin does.
This is how il was: II was my watch
Yesterday afternoon, when Chatham
came the first time. He went into the
Manhattan company's place through
the basement at quarter after five.
SO | just settled myself out here and
waited. Well, ! waited and waited. but
there wasn't any sion Of Chatham, and
when Flaglcr came along 10 relieve me
at ten o'clock Chatham hadn't come
out yet FlaCler he spotted the place
until SIX this morning, and then Conk
lin took his turn again until two
o'clock, when / came on for my watch
just as Conklin was telling me how
things stood, who should come down
the street but Chatham himself, large
as life
down the street," exclaimed Stur.
gis.
Yes, sir. And up he goes, as if moth.
ing had happened, and into the Man.
haitian Chemical companys place
again"
He had put up the back-door game
on YOU" said the reporter.
Yes, sir; just what l said TO Conk-
lin. SO, quick as a wink, sent him
around the block to keep his eye
peeled on the next street, and l waited
here. And here I've been ever since.
If Conklin isn't on the block above, it
must be because Chatham has made
tracks again, and he after him"
III go and find out" said Sturgis.
Has anyone else called at the Man
haitian Chemical company's office since
you have been on watch?"
'No, sir; but couple of hours ago
an express wagon came along and de-
livered long wooden box; might have
been chemicals for the wholesale de-
partment. for il was lowered to the cell
lar by the hoist in the areaway. The
blond young man receipted for the
box"
Every well, Shrady. Hang on little
while longer, and shall have you re-
lieved just as soon as possibly can"
So saying. the reporter, who had
been pretending TO look through his
pockets for a coin, ostentatiously
slipped nickel into the outstretched
palm before him. The light seemed to
die out of the sharp eyes of the detect
i've, and il was the miserable drunkard
who staggered back TO his place on the
stoop next TO the station, unmindful of
the gibes of the young rowdies congre
gated there.
Sturgis walked up TO the next street,
where he found a second detective on
duty.
Anything new, Conklin?" he asked.
'No. sir; he's been lying low; looks
like he knew he was spotted this
time"
Good. Stay here until / can notify
the police that we have run down the