The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-11-22


speeted every house on 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 small garden. The reporter
stood near this and read the numbers
on the adjoining buildings.
"This is directly back of the Man
haitian Chemical company's, office" he
unused. 81 wonder who lives here 1t
looks like respectable place enough.
One could obtain a good view of the
rear of the Manhattan Chemical COM
pany's office from the back windows.
HIM"
He stood thoughtfully considering
what pretext he could use to 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.
The reporter started inwardly, but
gave no outward sign of surprise.
"Were you about to do me the honor
of calling?" continued the chmeist.
YES" said Sturgis, deliberately;
81 was about to seek an interview
with you. Can you spare few min
utes?"
''Who is it that asks for the inter
view?' inquired Murdoch, with quiet
sarcasm. as it Mr.. sturgis, gentle
man; Mr.. Sturgis. reporter, or -
Sturgis met cold CLEAN from Muir
docks inscrutable eyes.
''Or Mr.. Sturgis. the famous de-
tective?" continued the chemist with
an imperceptible sheer.
81 represent the Tempest" replied
the reporter, quietly.
Murdoch glanced carelessly up and
down the street. There was no one
in sight.
ooh! very well,' he said, taking out
his latchkey and leading the way to
the house; "come into my study and
let me hear what 1 can do for the
Tempest"
On entering the house Murdoch mo-
toned Sturgis to the door leading
from the hall into the drawing room
eff you will step into the parlor for
few minutes. l shall be with you di-
rectly." said he.
Sturgis nodded acquiescence, and
while Murdoch walked toward his
81, al, +
of the hall. the reporter opened the
5 drawing-room door. He did not oper
/ it very wide, however, neither did he
i enter; for although the room wa:
i rather dark, his quick eye caught +;
passing glimpse of feminine heat
i cozily nestled upon u distinctly mas
culine shoulder. the owner of which
had his back turned to him. Bach
|. elor cynic though he was, Sturgis ha,
not the heart to interrupt so inter
esting situation; and, as the coupl
were so absorbed that they had no
J. noticed the intrusion upon their tete
h a-tete, he discreetly retreated an
q softly closed the door.
e BY this time Murdoch had passe
b into his study, so that Sturgis foun
:. himself alone in the hall. He wa
d glad of short respite during whic
It he might collect his thoughts; fol
d having been taken by surprise, he ha
e not had time to select plausibl
e topic for the interview which he ha
e solicited from Murdoch. Not know
& ing that the house was that of tn
o chemist, his sole object had been
b. gain admittance, so that he might b
W able to observe the Manhattan Chen
n ical company's offices from the rea
Re and if possible to ascertain how Cha
ham had managed to give the dete'
r. tives the slip the first time he al
peared to them.
b. Now that he was in the house tt
n reporter was confronted with the n
&c cessity of explaining his present
there without betraying his true pu
1e pose. This would not have been
difficult matter had the inmates
k the house been total strangers; b.
m he felt that it would be by no meal
ye so easy to offer an explanation whit
ed would be satisfactory to man
e. Murdock's keen perception. And MI
it dock was the last person to whom
de would have confded the true reast
of his visit; not only because Il
is. chemist, as his opponent in the wag
n concerning the Knickerbocker bal
ce mystery, was interested in thwartil
rather than in aiding his investig
70 ton, but chiefly because he felt
Ie- strong instructive distrust of the ma
We AS these thoughts were passil
Ie- through the reporters mind, he slo
ell ly paced the long hall, back a
he forth, with his hands behind his BAG
he In so doing, he passed a door viii
was slightly ajar and caught
tie glimpse of long rows of bookshelf
re- loaded with beautifully bound e.
tions. The place was evidently t
ad library. 1t occurred to him that
lis library is a public room and that
sly would be more comfortable in the
ed than in the hall.
to He pushed open the door and look