Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-11-21

fst OF remarkable talent, and he has
discovered a compound in which bone
ms well as human tissue is rapidly and
totally dissolved. There it is i'm Won
der tank. See how completely the
liquid has destroyed the bone handle
OF this knife"
Sturgis, after showing the damaged
knife to his companion, resumed his
whiting upon the cover of the box
on which the artist was seated.
"Chatham's body has been dissolved
In that tank within very short time.
1T has entirely disappeared: this fiat
tened bullet alone is left, lead being
one of the few substances which arc
not soluble in the contents of the
tank. Fortunately he overlooked that
fact Genius has its lapses."
Presently Sprague ventured to say:
| IF numerous crimes have been COM
mittcd here, as you intimate, I do not
understand how it is that suspicion
has never rested on this house be-
fore
taken every precaution to render the
chance of discovery quite remote. His
dwelling house on one street, and the
bogus Chemical company on the other,
are in communication through this
underground pass kye while appar-
emily having no connection with each
other. Moreover, he is too shrewd to
l-a frpfItpnt 6 hi Oh
Der. That does we'll enough as a last
resort, when he is obliged to commit
the murders with his own hands; but
l suspect that this man has other
agents like Chatham. who do the
dirty work for him and then quietly
ship the bodies here for annihilation
as it was intended should be done
with Arbogast's. All. yes; I thought
so. You are sitting upon one of these
bodies now"
Sprague started to his feet; and,
following the direction in which Stur-
gis was pointing with his open knife,
he vaguely discerned, through the
opening which the reporter had whit
tied, "A small surface Of what had
being.
After gazing for some minutes in
horror-stricken silence at the distort-
ed face, the artist asked in low
voice:
How did Chatham meet his death ."
81 don't know yet" answered Stur-
gis, gravely; this man is no ordinary
u
leaves no blood-stains and no disorder
to tell of its omplishment. He
takes life with his own hands only
when he is forced to do so; but, when
he does, his method is mastery. It
was easier to make away with Chat
ham than to pay him the price agreed
upon for his completely in the Knic!s-
erbocl<er bank embezzlement; and so
his life was taken. | hope to discover
how before I leave here"
Sprague started as the reporter
ceased speaking
"Ihe price of his complcity?" he
claimed, laying his hand upon Sturgis'
arm and looking earnestly into his
eyes.
Yes" replied the reporter. steadi-
ly meeting his friends gaze, his
daughters hand "
Sprague looked away from the hon
est eyes of the reporter, as if he
dreaded to read in them the answer
to his next question.
"Who is this fiend incarnate. who
Is willing to traffic in his own flesh
science"
The man who is capable of these
crimes, and of any others which
might serve to remove an obstacle
from his way is"
The reporter did not finish his SEN
tence. He suddenly grasped his com
panion by the arm and stood trans
fixed, his eyes dilated, his neck craned
in listening attitude, every muscle
tense like those of wild animal in
ambush about to spring upon its APP
preaching prey.
Presently a click was heard as
though a bolt had been shot from its
socket.
Draw your revolver" Sturgis wills
pereu hoarsely to his companion.
"Quick.-Look there"
AT the same time he drew his own
weapon and pointed in the direction
of the door at the head of the stairs.
The door opened and man entered,
quietly smoking a cigar,
"Dr, Murdock." exclaimed Sprague
with horror.
Murdoch, still holding the door ajar,
eyed the two men for an instant, his
tmpassive face betraying not the
slightest sign of emotion. Then, taxi
ing his cigar from his lips:
"Ah, gentlemen" he drawled, in his
ironical way, Il am delighted to see
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