The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-11-05

: THE STURGIS WAGER Z
! A DETECTIVE STORY. <
e J
> By EDGAR MoRETTE. 4
e Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. Stokes Co. )

N.--CoNT1NuED.


When the reporter came within sight
of the safe, Dunlap was closely inspect
ing the lock. Presently he uttered an
exclamation of surprise.
what is it?' asked Sturgis.
81 don't understand it," said Dunlap.
81 cannot open the safe. The lock
seems all right; but"
"Perhaps the combination has been
changed"
apparently it has," admitted the
banker; "buthowcame it to be changed
on a week day, and without my knowl-
edge?"
''That is rather significant, isn't it,"
suggested the reporter.
Significant? What do you mean?"
exclaimed Dunlap, excitedly.
81 mean that A%rbogast was a de-
faulter. What his system of defraud-
ing the bank was l do not yet know;
but an examination of the books will
no doubt reveal this; and 1 should ad-
wise you, Mr.. Dunlap, to lose no time
in having it made"
But" argued Dunlap, a~nXiously, 81
tell you the books were examined last
week"
Eyes; by Arbogast's accomplish"
what, Chatham his accomplice?"
exclaimed Dunlap, family.
chatham was in the plot beyond a
doubt answered sturgis. $50 long as
no one had access to the books except
his accomplish Chatham, of course Ar
bogast felt secure. But when. yester-
day, the announcement was made that
after the beginning of the new year his
books would pass to the custody of an
other man, he saw that the game was
up"
The men had returned to the presi-
dents office.
"Those are his very Words contin-
uedthe reporter; "thosehe telegraphed
to Chatham yesterday, as you will see
if you hold before hat mirror this
sheet of blotting paper which found
on Arbogast's desk"
Dunlap, with an unsteady hand, took
the blotting paper; and, holding it be-
fore the glass, studied the reflection
intently.
What do you make out?" asked
Sturgis.
"Nothing whatever" replied the
banker, promptly.
"What?" exclaimed the reporter;
"do you mean to say that you do not
distinguish any marks on the blotting
paper?"
81 mean to say that / do not see any
thing to which L can attach any sem
blance of a meaning. The blotting pa
per has been used, and, of course,
there are ink marks upon it; but, as
far as | can see, these are wholly dis.
connected. They are entirely void OF
sense to my eyes, at any rate"
Examine the blotter again careful.
ly in this direction said Sturgis
drawing an imaginary line upon the
mirror, land pay no attention to any
other marks which seem to cross these
lines. Now do you see anything?"
The banker examined the image in
the mirror for some time before reply.
ing.
"If / allow my imagination to enter
into play, L can complete several iso.
lated letters"
"Will you dictate these while / note
them here. BE careful to distinguish
between capital and lower-case letters
Also separate the lines, and state
whether letters come close together
or are separated by a space"
"Very WE'LL" agreed Dunlap, who
then proceeded to read off the letters
he saw in the reflection of the blotte1
in the mirror.
When he had finished, Sturgis hand
ed him the paper, upon which were
transcribed the letters he had dictated
They presented the appearance shown
below: