The Irish standard., 1900-11-17
CHAPTER xXIH.-CoNr1NuEp.

CHAPTER XXIH.-CoNTINuED.
He stood for awhile irresolute, and
had just made up his mind to risk all
on "a bold move, when Suddenly MUIR
docks voice became more distinct, n il
he were passing near the mouth-piece
Of the speaking at the other end.
II shall be back directly"
He was going then. Agnes, il it
least an instant; and in that instant
lay possible salvation.
The reporter strained every nerve
to catch some other word. None
came. But presently he heard door
close. Murdoch had left the room.
Now or never was the chance to act.
With all his might he blew repeated.
y into the tube.
'sWel?"
The question came in the sweet
tones of woman's voice.
''Mr. Sprague is in great danger.
You alone can save his life, if you
do at once as say. Go to the door
OF the extension; press upward on
the lower hinge; then turn the knob!
Quick, before your father returns!"
Sturgis evoked the image of Muir.
dock performing these operations be-
fore opening the door of the extene
sion; and, with retrospective intui.
ton. OWNED their purpose.
There was no answer. Sturgis watt
ed for none. In bound he was at
his friends side and was struggling
to drag him toward the foot of the
stairs. AS he reached this point, the
door opened and revealed Agnes Muir.
dock, pale and frightened, on the
landing at the top.
The first rush of gas caused her
to start back; but in another instant
she had caught sight of her lovers
inanimate form and had rushed to his
assistance.
Suddenly q shadow fell across the
threshold of the open door. Sturgis
looked up in quick apprehension.
1t was Murdoch.
He stood critically observing the
scene, with all outward appearance OF
calmness.
Agnes had not seen him. She was
making desperate efforts to raise
Sprague's limp form; but felt herself
succumbing to the effects of the gas.
"My darling! my poor dnring!" she
exclaimed and suddenly she stag
gered and lurched forward.
Sturgis made an instructive effort to
support her; but before he could
reach her Murdoch was at her side
and had her in his arms. He bore
her gently up the stairs and into his
study. Then, for an instant, ha
seemed to hesitate. The reporter ex-
pected to see him close the door. In
stinctively his hand reached back to
his hip pocket for his revolver. But,
in another moment, Murdoch had re.
turned to where he stood.
"Come!" he said.
At the sa,ne time he lifted the artist
in his arms and carried him up the
stairs. Sturgis followed unsteadily
and reached the study, only to fall
exhausted into q, chair.
Having deposited his burden upon
the floor, Murdoch closed the door of
the death chamber; turned a valve
which was near his desk; opened the
windows wide, and revolyed crank
which projected from the wall near
the door of the extension.
'He' is shutting off the gas and
opening the steel shutters of the sky,
light" Thought Sturgis.
Then the chemist produced flask
and poured out small quantity of
brandy, Which lie forced his daughter
to swallow.
AS soon as she was sufficiently re-
vived, she rushed to the side of her
lover, whose head she gently raised ia
her lap. Murdoell's eyes were fas-
tened upon her. She met his calm
questioning gaze. @s
eyes, love him." she said, simply.
Then this strange man, without an.
other word, gently pushed his daugh.
ter to- one side and, throwing off his
coat, stopped over the prostrate form
of the man whose life he had tried to
take, and industriously worked over
ulli, LII W IeStOIC VIC 4u1A-
ing respiration.
Slowly and steadily he worked for
what seemed an eternity to the anx.
ious girl. AT length he rose, calm and
collected as usual, and drew on his
coat again.
"He is out of danger now," he said;
"you can do the rest yourself"
And he handed his daughter the
brandy flask.
A faint tinge of color had returned
to the artists face; his breast heaveG
gently IN an irregular respiration.
sturgis, still unable to stir from the
chair in which he had fallen. was
vaguely conscious of Murdock's move
ments. He saw the chemist open the
safe which stood near his table anG
take from it numerous bundles Of
banknotes, which he carefully packec
into a valise; he saw him take from
the same safe few richly bound
notebooks, which he proceeded to d.
up in q nent bundle, securely tied ani
sealed.
This done, the chemist put on hi.
hat and coat, and was preparing t.
pass out into the hallway, when {
knock sounded upon the door.
Murdoch opened enough
to show himself, without revealing
a. = .