The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-09-14
sorthent OF chemicnls.

The detectives searched the cellar.
Our man is not here, at any rate"
said the leader, when at last he had re-
turned to the foot of the stairs; per
haps he'll try to give us the slip by
way of the roof. Come along. Jim:
let's go upstairs now. Hello! what are
you doing there, Mr.. Sturgis? Think
you'll find him in one of those bottles?"
The reporter appeared TO be closely
inspecting the chemicals on the mar
row shelves.
"Who knows?" he replied, coolly,
continuing his examination.
The detective bit his lip and looked
the unpleasant things he thought it
best not to say.
"Well, Jim and I will take look
upstairs while you are busy here.
And the two men went up the dark
stairway, Sprague remaining behind
with the reporter.
None so blind as those that won't
see" said the latter, sententiously.
At the same time he placed his hand
upon one of the shelves and gave II
lateral push. 1t responded slightly,
and the entire shelving, with the door
which it concealed, opened outward.
81 thought So" continued the re-
porter; this looks ms If it might lead
somewhere. win you come. Sprague?"
How did you find the combination
so quickly?" asked the artist, prepar-
ing TO follow his friend.
ut is not a combination-only a.
concealed bolt. Our friends of the de
tective force might have discovered it
themselves II they had taken the trou-
BILE. The first thing | noticed was that
truck had recently been wheeled
through the cellar i'm the direction of
this door, from under the grating on
the street side. And this truck was
not here; neither was large case
which we know was delivered here to-
day. Tho trail extended clear up to
the wall below the shelving; and vet
no truck, even unloaded. could pass
below that lowest shelf. The conclusion
was evident. sounded the back Of the
shelving and found that it covered an
opening of some kind. After that. all
that remained was to notice that one
of the shelves was slightly soiled in
just one spot, as though by the re-
peated contact of hand. From this, l
urgned that the bolt must be attached
TO this board. And it was. That is all"
As he spoke, the reporter entered
dark and narrow passage.
Don't shut the door" said he to his
companion, who followed him.
At that moment. however. the artist
stumbled; and. instinctively holding
ing, he released his hold of the door,
which closed with a slam.
THAT is unfortunate" said Sturgis;
1--WE may have TO lose some time in
learning how to work the bolt from
this side. Hold on; it will be prudent
to keep open line of retreat. in case
of Unforeseen emergencies. Hello! we
are in luck. Nothing concealed on this
side; the bolt in plain sight; works
easily. AlPs well Then let us go on;
unless l am greatly mistaken, we shall
find another exit on the other side"
After following the underground
passage for some distance the men
climbed some steps and reached
square chamber, on one side Of which
rose stairway lending 10 "A door
above The room was surmoupted by a
ShFIlght. which was wide open. admit
ting a draught OF cold air from the
outside
Sturgis set down his lighted candle
and proceeded to examine his sur
r.tiuI'rp- I'm tho middle oF tI. room.
stood truck, upon which lay long
pine box y table and chair consti-
uied the only furniture of tine place.
AZ one side there was long, low,
.e"d-,ined tank, filled TO the depth Of
about two feet with a dark 'iscous
liquid. Near il lay Il few empty car
boys. Ia the floor there was what
seemed to be a hot-airrogister, Of large
size and of peculiar construction. The
walls were bare uuhruECp save by he