Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-11-14
PRIVATE OFFICE.
NO ADMITTANCE.

IldtNu MS S1OllOci W ~ anu pr lJdIth
to force it in.
"Wait a minute said Sturgis; "let
me see if / cannot open it,"
The detective stepped aside with Il
quil<ical expression upon his face.
81 guess you will find it pretty solid
for your weight said he.
The reporter took from his pocket a
piece Of BEN wire, and, with u few
dcxterous turns of the wrist, he shot
the bolt of the lock.
You would make an expert cracks
man." said the detective. az didn't
know YOU possessed hat accomplish
mont in addition to all your other
ouo4.'
The four men entered the private
office. The room was quite dark, the
shutters being closed and the blinds
toned to the obscurity they were able
20 distinguish the outlines of Il desk,
n table, and a few chairs.
S%turgis went at once to a door in
the corner. With the aid OF his skcl-
eton key he had soon thrown this
open. After pecring for an instant
into the darkness, he took from his
pocket a candle. which he lighted.
Then. ~bcckoning TO his comDauions.
lie started cautiously 10 descend. The
other men followed him and soon
found Themselves in the cellar, which
they proceeded 10 search.
On the street side there was a recess
extending for q few feet under the
ara in front of the house. The open
ing above was covered by an iron graf
iug. over which was q wooden cover
securely fastened on the inside by a
cAa'n ana pndlocE. y number OF car
ho|a We're carefully piled along the
east wall TO Wlthln " rev leet from
the rear OF the building. Here in the
northeast corner rose narrow sheIv-
'ug' on winch We're arranged a coIIec-
'''N OF bottles containing a varied as
S'r.lnent OF chemicals.
me detectives sca'ched the cellar
V"r man Is nor mere al any rate
sal" me Il when at last he a re-
,H'ncd TO- the loot or the stars; per
maps mel Try 10 give us the snip by
way OF the roof come along jim;
lei 5 GO upstairs now ileIlo! what are
you ooIhg mere ME- 9'Nrgls lhInk
YOU Il l. MN IN II OF 'ho"r pottIeS'
Inc reporter appeared 10 he closely
ln Pectltg we c9ehl'caIS on the mar
row Sh'INeS'
Il KNOWS ne roPl'ec' coolly'
continuing ms eNah.lhaIl"h
Inc detective tIt DIS mp ana Iooked
me "hp!fas'h' thlh9S lie u IL
pest not TO say
Nell' JIM ana VIII axe n look
upstairs while yon are busy here.
And the two me went M the dark
stairway. Sprugue remaining behind
with the reporter.
None so blind as those that won't
see" said the latter, sententiouslv.
Al the same time he placed his hand
ruJa ole Of the shelves and gave il n
/ latoral push. II responded SLIGHTLY,
AND the entire shelving. with the door
which it concealed. openeN outward.
Il THOUGHT So" continued the re-
frrrttr: "tLi, looks as if il mirbt lead
.mcvherc. VIII vou come. Sprague?"
How did vou find The combination
so 0uickIy ." asked The artist. prcpar-
ing TO follow his friend.
1T is not n combination-onlv a
concealed bolt. Oar friends of the dc
~tcctiye force might have discovered it
themselves if they had taken the trou-
bic. The first thing noticed was that
q truck had recently been wheeled
through the cellar in the direction Of
this door. from under the grating on
the street side. And this truck was
not here; neither was "A large case
which we know was delivered here to-
day. The trail extended clear mp to
the wall below the shelving; and yet
no truck. even unluaded. could pass
bclowthstlowest shelf. The conclusion
was evident. | sounded the back Of the
shelving and found that it covered an
opening Of some kind. After that. all
that remained was to notice that one
Of the shelves was slightly soilcd in
Just one spot. as though by the re-
pcated contact of a hand. From this. I
ure1Icd that the bolt must be attached
to his board. Audit 4 That is alL"
As he spoke. the reportcr entered n
dark and narrow MASSAGE.
Don't shut the door" said he to his
Communion. who followed him.
At that moment, however. the artist
stumbled; and. instinctivcly holding
out his hands 10 save himself from fall