Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-29

ferry, the man ordered Reilly to pro-
coed to low grogshop on South street.
Here he entered, returning in few
minutes to invite the cabman to take
drink with him. The men seated
themselves at table upon which
bottle and two filled glasses were al
ready placed. Chatham handed one of
these glasses to Reilly, who drank it
and probably many more. AT any
events, he remembers nothing further
until he was rudely shaken by Chat
ham, who led him out into the street.
Here the cold air revived him, and he
remembers noticing several things to
which he did not pay much attention
at the time, but which seem significant
now as he recalls them:
"Firstly-It was now quite dark.
"Secondly-The cab, which had been
facing south when he entered the bar
room, was now facing north
"Thirdly-Chatham persistently car
ried his left hand in the bosom of his
coat; he was very pale and seemed weak
and ill.
HE with difficulty climbed upon the
box beside Reilly and ordered him to
drive uptown. Presently the cabman
became drowsy again. The next thing
he remembers is coming to himself
after the overturning of the cab by
the cable car. That the man was
drugged there can be no doubt. 1t is
probable that while he sat apparently
drunk in the barroom, Chatham took
the cab to the Knickerbocker bank, ex-
pecting to smuggle Arbogast into it
without Reilly's knowledge - deep
move, since it would effectually cover
up the trail, if they wanted to make
away with the bookkeeper, as they
evidently did. Seymour may have met
him at the bank by appointments; but
| I am more inclined to believe that he
| was there unknown to Chatham, and
| possibly for the purpose of spying
| upon the latter, to see if his instruc-
lions were carried out. He lent his ac-
| complete a hand in the nick of time;
and then, like a prudent general, he re-
tired to safe position, thence to di-
rect further operations. What can
not yet understand is, why Chatham
should have taken the enormous risk
he did in conveying Arbogast's body
from the bank, since Seymour's inten-
ton was plainly to make away with
the bookAeeper in any event. / can
explain this only on the supposition
that Seymour thought he could con-
ceal the body in some way andprevent
it from falling into the hands of the
police. On the part of any ordinary
criminal this would have been rank
folly; but the resources of such man
as Seymour are such that l do not feel
disposed to criticise his geneTalship in
!. this particular without first under
standing his ultimate object. From
| what l have seen of his work thus far,
1 have derived profound admiration
for the mans genius and cunning dew
iltry. Fortunately fate was against
him this time. Its instrument was the
cable car which overturned the cab,
thus delivering Arbogast's body into
the hands of the police and furnishing
! the key without which. it is quite like
ly, Seymour might have remained for
ever undiscovered"
you think, then, you will succeed in
unearthing this villain?" asked Dun
lap, eagerly.
while there's life. there's hope"
said Sturgis, with grim determination;
but must confess that the outlook at
present is not exactly brilliant. How
ever, let me finish my report. During
the excitement that followed the over
turning of the cab, Chatham managed
to escape, as you know, and he has thus
far succeeded in avoiding arrest, al.
though the police have kept sharp
lookout for him. Every steamship
that sails, every train that leaves New
York, is watched, but thus far without
result. For my part, am convinced
that Chatham has not yet attempted
to leave the city
Isn't it probable. on the contrary,
that he fled from New York immediate
ly after running away from the over
turned cab?" asked Dunlap
II do not think SO" replied Sturgis;
with his wounded hand he is a marked
man; he would be easily recognized in
strange city. His safest hiding-place
is here in New York, where he doubt
less has friends ready to conceal him.
Be that as it may, he remains for the
present under cover and the scent is
lost. The police are cropping in the
dark just now, and-and so am L."
The banker looked sorely disap-
pointed.
"And so that is all you have been
able to discover? Not a trace of the
money? 1t does not seem possible
that quarter of a million dollars can
disappear SO completely without leav-
ing the slightest trace
IF we can ever find Seymour" re-
piled Sturgis, 81 make no doubt we
shall be able to locate the lions share
of the money.
Yes" he added. thoughtfully,
"that is all have been able to dis
cover up to the present time; or. at
least, all that seems to be of any i'm
mediate Importance. OF course, l
i