Willmar tribune., 1900-09-26
arrested his tention. He stopped to
examine its contents

An older man, evidently in his cups,
was seated on an adjoining stoop,
where, with maudlin gravity, he seemed
to be communing with himself.
On the opposite side of the way stood
a low, dilapidated brick house. "A
painted sign over the windows Of the.
ground floor bore the name: 3ssMAN-
HAITIAN CHEMICAL co.. .
The drunken man rose unsteadily to
his feet and approached Sturgis with
outstretched hand. ~
''Say, Jimmy, get on ter his nibs
strikin' de bloke fur a nickel ter git
medicine fur his sick mudder!'' ex-
claimed one of the young rutfians.
Notwithstanding individual thus
designated seemed hardly able to stand
as he steadied himself against an iron
railing; but the eyes he turned upon
Sturgis were bright with intelligence
and the words he spoke were uttered in
a low, firm voice: z
"He's been here-been here twice."
''Twice?''' echoed Sturgis, surprised.
SWhere is he now?" a..
81 don't know"
"You don't know?"
"No, sir; but I guess Conklin does.
This is how it was: It was my watch
yesterday afternoon, when Chatham
came the first time. He went into the
Manhattan company's place through
the basement at quarter after five.
So I just settled myself out here and
waited. Well, I waited and waited, but
there wasn't any sign of Chatham, and
when Flagler came along to relieve me
at ten o'clock Chatham hadn't come
out yet. Flagler he spotted the place
until six this morning, and then Conk
lin took his turn again until two
o'clock, when I came on for my watch.
Just as Conklin was telling me how
things stood, who should come down
the street but Chatham himself, large
as life."
"Down the street?" exclaimed Stur-
gis.
'Yes, sir. And up he goes, as if moth
ing had happened, and into the Man
haitian Chemical company's place
again"
''He had put up the back-door game
on you," said the reporter.
eyes, sir; just what said to Conk-
lin. So, quick as wink, I sent him
around the block to keep his eye
peeled on the next street, and waited
here. And here I've been ever since.
If Conklin isn't on the block above, it
must be because Chatham has made
tracks again, and he after him.
'I'll go and find out" said Sturgis.
'Has anyone else called at the Man
haitian Chemical company's office since
you have been on watch?"
'No, sir; but couple of hours ago
an express wagon came along and de-
livered a long wooden box; might have
been chemicals for the wholesale de-
partment, for it was lowered to the Gel
lar by the hoist in the areaway. The
blond young man receipted for the
box"
''Very we'll, Shrady. Hang on little
while longer, and I shall have you re-
ieved just as soon as possibly can.'
So saying, the reporter, who had
been pretending to look through his
pockets for a coin, ostentatiously
slipped a nickel into the outstretched
palm before him. The light seemed to
die out of the sharp eyes. of the detect
i've, and it was the miserable drnnkard
who staggered back to his place on the
stoop next to the station, unmindful of
the gibes of the young rowdies congre-
gated there.
Sturgis walked up to the next street,
where he found a second detective on
duty.
Anything new, Conklin?" he asked.
''No, sir; he's been lying low; looks
like he knew he was spotted this
time'' go
"Good. Stay here until can notify
the police that we have run down the
quarry. It will be necessary to obtain
search warrant for the Manhattan
Chemical company's place. In the
meantime, if Chatham should attempt
to make tracks, hang on to him like
his shadow and send back word here as
soon as you can."
Cali right, sir.'
Sturgis, after leaving Conklin,
walked along the street which the de-
tective was watching and carefully in
spected every house Oh the.block. Al
most all were huge office buildings; but
here and there an old-fashioned brown
stone front stood out conspicuously
against the broad expanse Of brick
walls and iron columns. Halfway
down the street one of these old houses
stood well back from the street line
behind a small garden. The reporter
stood near this and read the numbers
on the adjoining buildings. H..-
..This is directly back of the Man
haitian Chemical company's Office" he
mused. II wonder who lives here It
looks like a respectable place enough.
One could obtain good view of the
rear of the Manhattan Chemical com
pany's office from the back windows.
Him., a.. ma. ,.,s;~.> -. =
He stood ,thoughtfully considering
what pretext he could usesto gain adj
mission to the house, when suddenly
he became aware of the presence of
a man who had approached with.
noiseless steps.
"Ah, is that you,- Mr.. sturgis?" said
the calm, sardonical voice of DR.. MUIR:
dock. a + 5z5-2 H..
The reporter started inwardly, but
gave no outward sign of surprise. I
Were you about to do me the honor
Of calling 2" continued the chmeist.
Eyes, said Sturgis, deliberately;
II was about to seek an interview
with you. Can you spare q. few min