The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-10-18

CHAPTER I-Scene. of story is, in New
York city. Time, early evening, last day
of year. Cable train colldes with cab,
throwing to ground cabman and passen-
ger also seated outside. Latter disappears;
then, inside the cab, body of man shot
dead IS discovered. Sturgis, reporter, ex-
amines cab and surroundings.
CHAP PIER II-Later that evening, at
stag dinner party, .Sturgis, in impromptu
discussion, maintains reliability OF cir.
Gums evidence j., Or rcn Ms y S t s la
that from any daily paper he can select an
unsolvable riddle. Sturgis takes bet
CHAPTER III-Case selected is of two
or near knickerbocker bank Man had
been seen running from bank with valisc,
and arrested. Man said he stole valise
from bank steps and was shot at. Nalise
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 arrangcs data
OF the two strange cases.
CHAPTER V-From observations made
thus far and inductive reasoning thereon
reporter has concluded % dead man in
cab was booklSeeper about 90 years old re-
ceivtng good salary; (2) wound caused by
bullet fired at close quarters; (2) might
have shot himself; ca shooting had not
occurred in cab: (5) right arm broken by
heavy instrument; and Co cabman was
drugged and young man who escaped in
volVed in some way in crime, Cab UNS-
terry also noted as possible sequel to bank
mystery
CHAPTER VI-Sturgis calls for Spra que,
artist friend, to get his company during in
vestigation at bank, but artist has appoint
ment with some fair sitter whose portrait
he is making.
CHAPTER VII = Agnes Murdoch lin
charge of her fathers household since her
mothers DEATH finds her father in his
study. She, in reply to question concern
Ing attentions of a Thomas Chatham,
shows her dislike of the persistent sutton
Her father intimates she shall not be fur
Their bothered.
CHAPTER vIII-Miss Murdock's final
sitting for portrait induces artist to ask
privilege of calling at her home, which she
readily grants. Bellboy brings note for
Agnes. This is read with evident annoy
ance, and she drops 1t. 1t remains forgot
ten when she leaves studio.
CHAPTER IX-Promptly at time agreed
Dunlap meets Sturgis Reporter begins
long and careful examination in bank Re-
volver in bookkeeper's desk shows two
empty cartridges.
CHAPTER determination completed.
Sturgis questions banker regarding reia-
bility of Arbogast. head bookkeeper, then
announces Arbogast to be a defaulter with
Chatham, accountant who has frequently
examined condition of books as accom-
plice. Message Arbogast sent Chat am
deciphered from marks on q blotter.
CHAPTER XI-Reporter has now ON
pleted diagram showing movements OF
Arbogast and Chatham and one other
whose identity is as yet completely yelled.
Arbogast at last moment had found a note
which caused him to suspect his accom-
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 weapon and
making Arbogast shoot himself Dunlap
Is fncredulous. but verities 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
mistake allowed a depositor to overdraw
account Chatham has discovered mis-
take, and for fear of losing position Arbo-
CAST allows himself to be used by Chatham
and Mr.. Seymour. BY false entries Sey-
mour has drawn $2500o0. Change In method
of book keeping was about to expose the
matter. Arbogast tells his wife to give
Dunlap confession as soon as he has es-
capped.
CHAPTER XIII-The afternoon of crime
chatham had had occasion to use tele-
phone. Sturgis learns he had been con-
nected with the Manhattan Chemical COM
pany, mysterious concern not known to
commercial agencies. At Office of chemical
concern Sturgis places detectives.
CHAPTER XIN-Sprague next morning
finds letter Miss Murdoch had dropped in
son.
CHAPTER KYLE reaches her home.
end is announced just In time to interfere
with implied threat of Chatham, who has
),
dangerous looking paper knife in hand has
declared: IF | don't marry you, no one
eyer shall" After Chatham leaves, Agnes
gives way to hysterical weeping, but is
soon comforted by her now accepted lover,
Sprague.
CHAPTER XVI-Stureis traces Chat
hams movements as far DR.. Thurstons
house. Doctor had Just developed Roent-
gen ray photograph showing position of
bullet in accountants forearm.
CHAPTER XVII-Reporter now goes to
vicinity of Manhattan Chemical office De-
tectives report Chatham to have twice
entered the place, but not seen to have
come out either time. Murdocks house is
on next street directly behind chemical
concern. Here Sturgis gains admission
and overhears Chatham's excited voice
threatening ito give the whole thing
away"
CHAPTER XVIII-Sturgis has come to
get rear view of chemical office, but gives
as his reason desire FOR interview with
chemist regarding recent experiments.
Murdoch asks reporter into laboratory,
but Sturgis remembers engagement and
excuses himself
CHAPTER XIX-Meeting Sprague out
side the two go for warrants ard police to
search chemical concern. Arriving, Stur-
gis with skeleton key opens two doors,
then leaving police and detectives he and
Sprague descend to cellar, follow an un-
foreground passage and come to Murdocks
laboratory. Here Is found a vat from
which reporter carefully fishes out a bit
Of lead which appears to be a flattened
bullet.
CHAPTER XX-Sturgis finds vat con-
tains fluid that dissolves bone as well as
flesh. The bullet just found shows how
Chatham had but little before met his
end Murdoch coming from above dis
covers the men. Sturgis fires but he re-
treats in safety
CHAPTER XXI-By a mechanism work
from above the men now find themselves
completely trapped. From an opening
come fumes of gas. A speaking tube is the
only other connection with outside world.
By breathing through this. turn about the
men are able to hold out awhile. Sprague
finally succumbs, and Sturgis feels his
strength going.
CHAPTER XXIT-fn the study above
Agnes seeks her father TO secure his APP
prevail to her engagement While talking
he is called away. The next moment she
hears the whistle OF the speaking tube.
AS soon as she was sufficiently re
vived. she rushed to the side of her
lover, whose head she gently raised to
her lap Murdock's eyes were fas
tened upon her. She met his calm
questioning gaze.
"Yes, | love him." she said, simply.