Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-13

in answer to his friends glance, ''but
it is best to be on the safe side"
very we'll; ] shall go home for one.
| Where am l to meet you?"
"At police headquarters in about
half an hour. Let me see; it is now
nearly five o'clock. Say at half-past
| five. 1t will be necessary to obtain a
couple of warrants and the help of
the police before we start"
After Sprague had left him Sturgis
approached Detective Conklin, who
was still at his post.
"Did Chatham show up while
was in there?" he asked, Indicating
Murdock's house.
mo. sir"
did you notice the man with whom
went in?"
| eyes, sir
''Well, let Chatham go for the pres
ent and stick close to that man if he
stirs from the house. I shall be back
in less than an hour"
"All right. sir"
When sprague reached police head
quarters he found the reporter ready
to start with four detectives. He had
not, therefore, any opportunity for
conversation with his friend until the
party reached it's destination. There
two of the detectives relieved the men
/ previously on duty, while the others
accompanied Sturgis and Sprague to
the office of the Manhattan Chemical
company.
1t was after six o'clock. The place
was closed for the night and seemed
quite deserted. One of the men rang
the bell. The tinllling echoes died
away, but no sign of life manifested
itself from within. Then he seized
the pull and piled it again repeatedly
and vigorously.
"That will do" observed Sturgis,
presently; "the old woman is coming
as fast as she can
"What old woman?" asked the de-
tective.
81 don't know. Perhaps I ought to
have said an old woman. l hear her
hobbling on the stairs
The detective placed his ear to the
keyhole. After listening attentively,
he turned to the reporter with an in
!, credulous smile.
well, Mr.. Sturgis," said he, eff yo,,
J can hear anything in there, your ears
are sharper than mine. That's all |
can say"
''She is on the second fight" replied
the reporter, quietly. Now she is in
the second-story hall-and now you
can surely hear her coming down the
last fight
I BY this time, sure enough, the sound
! of footsteps began to be audible to the
other three men; and presently the
door opened and disclosed the scared
. face of an old Irish woman.
"And phwat might yez be wantin,
gintlemin, to be after scarin' an ould
woman most to death wild yer ring
imp" she asked, somewhat aggressive
ly.
1--WE want to see Mr.. Chatham" re-
I piled one of the detectives.
mister who, is il? 2"
Thomas Chatham. Show me the way
to his room. I'll go right up, and my
lTleHuS VIII WalU LOT me mere.
Mister Thomuz Chathum, is it?''
said the old woman; well, we've come
to the wrong house to see him, I do be
thinkin', fer he don't live here"
Come, that won't do" said the de-
tective, sharply; 1--WE belong to the po-
lice, and we saw Chatham enter this
house,
At the mention of the police, the old
hag's parchment face became shade
yellower and her eyes glistened.
Sure, thin, if he do be hidin' here
it's mesilf as 'ud know it," she said
| after short interval; "but yez can
, fond 'um, if yez loike; yez can foind
'um."
Whereupon she turned and hobbled
, off, leaving the intruders to their own
resources.
l They found themselves in narrow
: hallway. On the right was rickety
: staircase leading to business offices in
the upper part of the building; on the
E left, door opening into the Office OF
$ the Manhattan Chemical company, and
: at the end of the hall another door
Tnarkad.