Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-18
SYNOPSIS.

SYNOPSIS.
CHAPTER I-Scene of story is in New
York city. Time. early evening, last day
Of year. Gable train collides with cab.
throwing to ground cabman and passen-
ger also seated outside. Latter disappears;
dead is discovered. stulsis. reporter. ex-
amines cab and surroundings.
CHAPTER IT-Later that evening, at
stag dinner party. sturgis. In impromptu
cumstantial evidence. DR.. Murdoch fa.
nous chemist wagers in reply IS, 900 to 500
that from any daily paper he can select an
unsolvable riddle. Sturgis takes bet.
mysterious shots fired that afternoon in
or near Knickerbocker bank. Man had
been seen running from bank with valse.
and arrested. Man said he stole valise
from bank steps and was shot at Valise
contained nothing of interest.
CHAPTER IV-Sturgis secures appoint
ment with Dunlap, president of bank, to
visit scene of shooting early next morning,
then induces his friend DR.. Thurston to-
come to his rooms while he arranses data
of the two strange cases.
CHAPTER v-From observations made
cab was bookkeeper about 80 years old re-
ceiving good salary; (2) wound caused by
Rave sh rs himseIf d Shooting had not
occurred In cab; 6) right arm broken by
heavy instrument; and (6) cabman was
drugged, and young man who escaped in
volved in some way in crime. Cab mys-'
terry also noted as possible sequel to bank
mystery.
CHAPTER VI-Sturgis calls for Spra que.
vestigation at bank but artist has appoint
ment with some fair sitter whose portrait
he Is making.
CHAPTER VII :. Agnes Murdoch Din
charge of her fathers household since her
study. She, In reply to a question concern
ing attentions of Thomas Chatham,
shows her dislike of the persistent sutton.
Her father intimates she shall .notsbe fur
Their bothered.
CHAPTER vIII-Miss Murdock's final
sitting for portrait INDUCES artist to ask
readily, grants. Bellboy brings note for
Agnes This is read With evident annoy
ance. and she dropsit. II remains forgot
ten when she leaves studio.
CHATTER Ix-Promptly at time agreed
Dunlap meets Sturgis. Reporter begins
long and careful examination in bank. Re-
volyer in bookkeeper's desk shows two
empty cartridges M
CHAPTER Determination completed,
Sturgis questions banker regarding relia-
bility of Arbogast, head bookkeeper. then
Chatham. accountant who has frequently
Z examined condition of books. as accom-
plice. Message Arbogast sent Chatham
deciphered from marks on blotter.
CHAPTER xI..Reporter has now COM
Arbogast and Chatham and one other
whose identity is as yet completely yelled.
Arbogast at last moment had found a note
rlice. He fired wounding him in hand and
was about to fire again when unknown con-
spirator rushed in and struck his arm.
This action resulted in turning wea pom and
making Arbogast shoot himself. Dunlap
Is incredulous. but verifies story In part by
later Identifying body of Arbogast at
morgue.
CHAPTER XII-Banker calls upon Mrs.
Arbogast. While with her she receives let
ter written by her husband telling of de-
falcation and expected flight. He has by
account. Chatham has discovered mis-
take. and for fear of losing position Arbo-
CAST allows himself to be used by Chatham
mour has drawn s25O.0OO Change in method
of book keeping was about to expose the
matter. Arbogast tells, his wife to give
capped.
CHAPTER XIII-The afternoon of crime
Chatham had had occasion to use tele
phone; stuTgis learns he had been con
pany. a mysterious concern not known t.
commercial agencies. At Office Of chemica
concern Sturgis places detectives.
CHAPTER XIv-sprague next mornins
finds letter Miss Murdock had dropped Ii
his studio. and decides to return it in per
son. 81.
CHAPTER KYLE reaches her home
and is announced Just in time to interior,
with implied threat of Chatham. who ha
forced his attentions upon Agnes. and witt
dangerous looking paper knife in hand ha
declared: IF / don't marry you, no on
ever shall" After Chatham leaves, .Agne
gives way to hysterical weeping. but i
soon comforted by her now accepted lover
6prague. ~
CHAPTER xvI-sturgis traces Chat
hams movements as far as DIR. Thurston'
house. Doctor had just developed Roent
gen ray photograph showing position o
bullet In accountants forearm.
CHAPTER XVII-Reporter now goes t
tectives report Chatham to have twic
entered the place. but not seen to hav
come out either time. Murdocks house
on next street directly behind chemica
concern. Here Sturgis gains admission
threatening ito give the whole thin
away"
CHAPTER XVIII-Sturgis has come I
get rear view of chemical Office but give
as his reason desire for interview wit
chemist regarding recent experiment:
Murdoch asks reporter into laboratory
but Sturgis remembers engagement an
excuses himself
CHAPTER xIX-Meeting Sprague out
side the two go for warrants and police t
search chemical concern. Arriving. Stu
gis with skeleton key opens two doors
then leaving police and detectives he an
foreground passage and come to Murdoch
laboratory. Here Is found a vat frol
which reporter carefully fishes out b
Of lead which appears to be fattene
bullet.
CHAPTER XXX.
TIVE JEAnJINET uAr