Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-13
fNoPs1s.

NOPSlS.
CHAPTER 1-scene of story is in New
York city Time. early evening, last day
of year. Cable train collides with cab,
throwing to ground cabman and passen-
ger also seated outside. Latter disappears;
dead is discovered. Stulgis, reporter. ex-
amines cab and surroundings.
CHAPTER II-Later that evening. at
stag dinner party. .Sturgis. in impromptu
cumstantial evidence. DR.. Murdoch, fa-
nous chemist, wagers in reply SIS, 900 to sl00
that from any daily paper he can select an
unsolvable riddle. Sturgis takes bet.
shots sa sat IS 81 a
or near Knickerbocker bank. Man had
been seen running from bank with valise,
from bank steps and was shot at. Valise
contained nothing of interest.
CHAPTER IV-Sturgis secures appoint
ment with Dunlap. president of bank. to
then induces his friend Dr. Thurston to
come to his rooms while he arranses data
of the two strange cases.
CHAPTER v-From observations made
thus far and inductive reasoning thereon
reporter has concluded: az dead man in
cab was bookkeeper about 80 years old re-
ceiving good salary; (2) wound caused by
bullet fred !, At close quarters; @ might
occurred in cab: (5) right arm broken by
heavy instrument; and (6) cabman wa,
drugged, and young man who escaped in
volycd in some way In crime. Cab myS-
terry also noted as possible sequel to bank
mystery.
CHAPTER yI-Sturgis calls for Sprague,
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 ather in his
study. She. in reply to a question concern
Ing attentions of Thomas CHATHAM.
shows her dislike of the persistent sutton.
Her father intimates. she shall not be fur
Their bothered
CHAPTER VI1I-Miss Murdock's final
sitting for. portrait induces artist to ask
privilege of calling Esther at her home, which she
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-
volyer In bookkeeper's desk shows two
empty cartridges.
CHAPTER determination completed.
Sturgis questions banker regarding relia-
bility of Arbogast, head bookkeeper. then
announces Arbogast to be a defauiter with
examined condition of books, as accom-
plice. Message Arbogast sent Chatham
deciphered from marks on a blotter.
CHAPTER xI--Reporter has now COM
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 incredulous. but verifies story in part by
later Identifying body of Arbogast at
morgue.
Ar,r,
Arbogast While with her she receives let
ter written by her husband telling of de-
falcation and expected flight. He has by
mistake allowed 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.. seymo s5Eo od BY false entries sey;
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 x1II-The afternoon of crime
Chatham had had occasion to use tele-
phone. Sturgis learns he had been con-
nected with the Manhattan Chemical COM
commercial agencies. At office of chemical
concern Sturgis places detectives.
CHAPTER XIV-Sprague next morning
finds letter Miss Murdoch had dropped in
his studio. and decides to return 1t in per-
son.
CHAPTER XV-He reaches her home.
and is announced just in time to interfere
with implied threat of Chatham, who has
forced his attentions upon Agnes, and with
dangerous looking paper knife in hand has
declared: IF don't marry. you, no one
ever shall" After Chatham leaves Agnes
gives way to historical weeping, but is
soon comforted by her now accepted lover.
Sprague.
CHAPTER xvI-sturgis traces Chat
hams movements as far as DR.. Thurston's
house. Doctor had just developed Roent-
gen ray photograph showing position OF
bullet in accountants forearm
vicinity of Manhattan Chemical office De-
tectiyes report Chatham to have twice
entered the place, but not seen to have
come out either time Murdoch s house is
on next street directly behind chemicaI
concern. Here Sturgis gains admission.
and overhears Chatham's excited voice
threatening ITO give the whole thing
away