The Irish standard., 1900-09-15
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: THE STURGlS WAGER I
y A DETECTIVE STORY. Z
> BY EDGAR MoRETTE. <
f Copyright, 1880. by Frederick A. Stokes Co.
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CHAPTER x.-CoSr1NuEp.

].
When the reporter came within sight
of the safe, Dunlap was closely inspect
ing the lock. Presently he uttered an
exclamation of surprise.
"What is it?' asked Sturgis.
II don't understand it," said Dunlap.
~ cannot open the safe. The lock
seems all right; but"
Perhaps the combination has been
changed"
"Apparently it has," admitted the
banker; 'but howcame it to be changed
on week day, and without my knowl-
edge?"
"That is rather significant, isn't it?'
suggested the reporter.
Significant? What do you mean?"
exclaimed Dunlap, excitedly.
81 mean that Arbogast was de-
faulter. What his system of defraud-
ing the bank was do not yet know;
but an examination of the books will
no doubt reveal this; and should ad-
wise you, Mr.. Dunlap, to lose no time
in having it made"
"But," argued Dunlap, anxiously, II
GS41 Ou UuS UOOhS WcIc cAAmluCO 1dSt
week."
eyes; by Arbogast's accomplice."
"What, Chatham his accomplice? p
exclaimed Dunlap, family.
Chatham was in the plot beyond q
doubt" answered Sturgis. $50 long as
no one had access to the books except
his accomplice Chatham, of course Ar
bogast felt secure. But when, yester-
day, the announcement was made that
after the. beginning of the new year his
books would pass to the custody of an
other man, he saw that the game was
up"
The men had returned to the presi-
ident's office.
"Those are his very Words" contin-
ued thereporter; "thosehe telegraphed
to Chatham yesterday, as you will see
if you hold before that mirror this
sheet of blotting paper which found
on Arbogast's desk"
Dunlap, with an unsteady hand, took
the blotting paper; and, holding it be-
fore the glass, studied the reflection
intently.
"What do you make out?" asked
Sturgis. =.
Nothing whatever" replied the
banker, promptly.
''What?" exclaimed the reporter;
"do you mean to say that you do not
distinguish any marks on the blotting
paper?"
II mean to say that do not see any
thing to which can attach any SEM
blance of a meaning. The blotting pa
per has been used, and, of course,
there are ink marks upon it; but, as
far as I can see, these are wholly dis
connected. They are entirely void of
sense to my eyes, at any rate"
Examine the blotter again careful
IT, in this direction" said Sturgis,
drawing an imaginary line upon the
loirror, "and pay no attention to any
other marks which seem to cross these
lines. Now do you see anything?"
The banker examined the image in
the mirror for some time before reply
ing.
IF allow my Imagination to enter
into play, I can complete several iso-
lated letters"
"Will you dictate these while note
them here. BE careful 10 distinguish
between capital and lowAr-case letters.
Also separate the lines. and state
whether letters come close together
or are separated by a s>ace."
Every WE'LL" agreed Dunlap, who
then proceeded to read off the letters
he saw in the reflection of the blotter
in the mirror.
When he had finished. sturgis hand
ed him the paper, up>n which were
transcribed the letters lie had dictated.
They presented the apl earance shown
below: