The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-06-28
EDGAR MORETTE,

man; Mr.. sturgls, reporter, Or -"
Sturgis met cold CLEAN from MUIR
docks inscrutsble eyes.
"Or Mr.. Sturgls, the famous de-
tective?' continued the chemist with
an imperceptible uneer.
II represent the Tempest" replied
the reporter, quietly. "a. e
Murdoch glanced carelessly up and
down the street. There was no one
in sight.
"Oh! very WE'LL" he said, taking out
his latchkey and leading the way to
the house; come into my study and
let me hear what l can do for the
Tempest"
On entering the house Murdoch mo-
TONED Sturgis to the door leading
from the hall into the drawing-room.
IF you will step into the parlor for
few minutes, shall be with you d.
reotly," said he.
sturgis nodded acqulescence, and
while Murdoch walked toward his
study, which was at the extreme rear
Of the hall, the reporter opened the
drawing-room door, He did not open
1t very wide, however, neither did he
enter; for although the room was
rather dark, his quick eye caught a
passing glimpse Of feminine head
oozily nestled upon distinctly mas
outline shoulder the owner Of which
had his back turned to him. Bach
elor cynic though he was, Sturgis had
not the heart to interrupt so inter-
esting q situation; and, as the couple
were SO absorbed that they had not
noticed the Intrusion upon their tete-
a-tete, he discreetly retreated and
softly closed the door.
By this time Murdoch had passed
into his study, so that Sturgis found
himself alone In the hall. He was
glad Of a short respite during which
he might collect his thoughts; for,
having been taken by surprise, he had
not had time to select plausible
topic for the interview which he had
collected from Murdoch. Not know
Ing that the house was that Of the
chemist, his sole object had been to
gain admittance, SO that he might be
able to observe the Manhattan Chem
ical company's Offices from the rear,
and If possible to ascertain how Chat
ham had managed to give the detec-
tives the slip the first time he APP
peared to them.
Now that he was In the house the
reporter was confronted with the ne
cessity of explaining his presence
there without betraying his true pur-
pose. This would not have been
difficult matter had the inmates OF
the house been total strangers; but
he felt that 1t would be by no means
so easy to offer an explanation which
would be satisfactory to man of
Murdock's keen perception. And Muir
dock was the last person to whom he
would have confded the true reason
of his visit; not only because the
chemist as his opponent In the wager
concerning the Knickerbocker bank
mystery, was interested in thwarting
rather than in aiding his investiga-
ton, but chiefly because he felt a
strong instructive distrust of the man.
As these thoughts were passing
through the reporters mind, he slow
ly paced the long hall, back and
forth, with his hands behind his back.
In so doing, he passed door which
was slightly ajsr and caught a
glimpse of long rows Of bookshelves
loaded with beautifully bound edi-
lions. The place was evidently the
library. 1t occurred to him that a
library is public room and that he
would be more comfortable in there
than in the hall.
He pushed open the door and looked
In. The room was empty. He en-
tered.
The library occupied space be-
tween the parlor and the rear room
into which Murdoch had entered, and
1t was separated from each of these
rooms by folding doors over which
hung heavy portieres.
Sturgis was a lover of books; his
interest was at once aroused in the
collection before him. 1t was adj
mirably selected from the standpoint
of philosopher and man Of sci
ence. Every department Of history,
of philosophy and of science had its
section in which the volumes were
classified and arranged with intelli-
gent care. But curiously enough, po-
etry and art were but meagerly rep
resented.
One section specially attracted
Sturgis' attention. 1t was devoted en-
tirely to the history Of crime in all
its phases and in all ages. Criminal
criminal jurisprudence and
the Psychology Of crime, as well as
the biographies Of all the noted Grim
inals OF ancient and modern times,
were completely represented. Almost
the only works of fiction in the col
lection were in this section, and In
cluded every book imaginable con-
corning criminals and their deeds.
Many rare and curious volumes were
there-some Of them 80 rare that they
could be found in only few Of the
great libraries OF the world.
ITO BE CONTINUED.