Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-10-05

nept are downstairs in the cellar
The store contains only "a few chairs
and "A long counter behind which rise
shelves containing rows of bottles
with brilliantly colorcd labels A few
painted signs upon the walls vaunt
the merits Of DR.. Ilenderson's Cough
Cure ana Dr. Henderson Liver Spc-
ciic. ! did not expect TO find anyone
in on New Years day. was, there
fore, surprised 10 see a solitary clerk
sitting with his feet upon a desk and
apparently absorbed in the reading of
newspaper pale young man of
the washcd-out blond type, with wa
terry green-bue eyes and a scant mus
tache which fails TO conceal weak
mouth. He rose TO greet me with an
air of surprise which does not speak
well foT the briskness of trade in the
I establishment. Indeed, if we are 10
judge 10y the aspect of things i'm the
Office OF the Manhattan Chemical COM
pany business in patent medicines
does not appear to be 1lourishing just
at present. by the way, did YOU ever
hear of DR. Hcnderson's remedies"
"No; ! cannot say that / have" an
swered Dunlap.
THAT is the curious part of IT,"
said Sturgis. II have been unable to
discover any advertisement published
( by this firm and it is only by profuse
advertising that such a concern can
/ live"
"Yes, Of course" exclaimed Dunlap,
somewhat impatiently; but what
has all this to do with Chatham ?"
81 don't know" replied Sturgis;
possibly nothing; perhaps a great
| deal
81 asked to see DR.. Henderson," he
continued. lat which the sleepy clerk
stared at me in open-mouthed amaze
ment DR.. Henderson was not in; it
was quite uncertain when he would
be in. Indeed. as far as | was able
to judge, DR. Henderson appears to be
rather mysterious parsonage. No
one knows much about him. Even his
clerk admits that he has seen him
/ only once or twice i'm the l. months
during which he has had charge Of
the Office. The doctor attends 10 the
manufacturing part of the business
/ himself; his laboratory, which is
down in the cellar. is most jealousy
guarded place. No one IS ever adj
mitted TO it under any preteNt He is
evidently afraid that some one may
discover the secret Of his valuable
remedies"
you say that as if your words were
meant to convey some uneXprcssed
meaning" said Dunlap, studying the
reporters face.
NO" Sturgis answered. thought
/ fully. but ] am trying TO attach
some Interior significance to the
facts. There is certainly something
mysterious about DR.. Henderson and
the Manhattan Chemical company;
but whether the mystery is legitimate
or not, and if not. whether it is in any
way connected with the Arbogast
case, is more than l am at present
able to determine"
After short pause he continued:
when | found that there was no
chance Of seeing DR.. Henderson him
self, | inquired at venture for the
]
| look lent expression to the otherwise
vacuous features of the young man.
Then n sudden inspiration seemed TO
come 10 him. oh! all. yes he ex-
claimed, you mean Mr.. Smith Yes
said !, catching at a straw. We'll, but
Mr.. Smith is not in, either ! offered
to wait for Mr.. Smith, and started to-
ward the door of the private office in
| the rear, because it bore in prominent
letters the inscription: NO ADMIT
/ TANCE.' | had turned the knob be-
fore the clerk could stop me; but the
door was locked. Mr.. Smith, il seems.
/ comes TO the Office only once week TO
receive the clerks report and to pay
him his salary. tried TO make a spe-
/ cial appointment TO meet Mr.. Smith on
/ the plea of important business. left
fictitious name and address SO that
Mr.. Smiths answer might be sent TO
me- That was all was able TO Go for
/ the time being; but thought il worth
+ while 10 keep am eye open ON Che Man.
/ haitian Chemical company; so ! have
/ engaged private detectives 80 watch it
/ for nae night and day until further no.
/ ticc. And there the matter stands"
| Dunlap rose YEARLY from his chair.
lie looked anxious and carevoru.
Mr. Sturgis" he said, III YOU can
! find any part of that S2al.og0. good
share Of whatever You can recover
for the bank is yours
The reporter flushed and bit his lip:
! but he answered quietly
"You mistake me for detective. Mr..
Dunlap; I am only reporter. shall
be paid 10y the Tempest for any work.
may do on this case. You would bet
ter offer your reward TO the police
CHAPTER XIV.
THE LETTER