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


ly parting with you, | wish to honor
ably carry out the terms of my wager
with Mr.. Sturgis. / concede the fact
that, TO all intents and purposes, he
has won the bet and | authorize you,
Mr.. Sprague, MS stakeholder, to pay
him the amount / deposited with you.
as | have already suggested, he has
made some perhaps excusabe mis-
takes; but, then, as he himself stated
the other night, "a detective has life
time in which to correct blunder.'
lifetime 1t is not in accordance with
/ Mr.. Sturgis' usual practice to use SO
vague q term. A lifetime is not neces-
tarily a very long time, Mr.. Sturgis."
During this TRADE Sturgis and
Sprague had remained standing with
their eyes fixed upon the cleaning car
buncles which pecred at them from be-
hind the grated peephole at the top OF
the stairs. The artist seemed to real
lie that the fight was lost. His attitude
was that OF brave man accepting.
with calm despair, an unpleasant but
inevitable doom. The reporter had
drawn his revolver at the first sound
of Murdock's voice. but had immedi-
ately returned it to his pocket upon
realizing that the chemist was protect
ed by bullct-proof grating. Now. pale
and collected, he remained inscrutable.
II vas impossible, even for the sharp
eyes of Murdoch, o determine whether
he was at last resigned to his fate. or
whether his active mind was still on
the alert for loophole of escape.
The bit of candle which he held in
his hand had burned so low that at last
he was unable TO hold it without risk
Of burning his fingers. Whereupon he
coolly set it down upon the stone floor,
where presently the wick fell over into
pool of molden paraiiine, and the
flame sputtersd noisily, sending fitful
CLEANS through the darkness.
"Well.' continued Murdock's voice,
1T is at any rate great satisfaction
to play game with an adversary
worthy of ones steel. You have played
well, Mr.. Sturgis. I think you would
have won modestly; and you are losing
as would myself have lost had our
positions been reversed. Goodbye"
The cleaning eyes disappeared from
the grating and the sliding panel closed
with metallic click.
Now, then" said Sturgis to his COM
panion, 1.-THE last chance lies in the
speaking tube. But first help me move
this box"
What do you want to do with the
box?" asked Sprague, who, however,
did as he was bid.
at may help us to gain a little time.
Put it down here"
Sturgis struck match and pointed
out the spot.
ION the hot-air register?"
"On what looks like hot-air regis
ter. Did you ever see hot-air regis
ter with no apparent means of shutting
off the heat?"
Sprague. who stood almost over the
register, suddenly threw back his head
and gasped for breath.
You have discovered the secret of
this death trap" said Sturgs, observ-
ny him.
Gas" spluttered the artist
Yes, he is going to asphyxiate us.
Vow, quick, to the speaking tube. The
box will somewhat retard the rush OF
gas: but, at the best, it is only uues-
ton of minutes before the air becomes
so charged as to render respiration
impossible"
Sprague rushed to the speaking-tube
and whistled long and loud. after
Which he placed his ear to the mouth
piece.
81 hear SOME one walking" he sud
denly exclaimed.
The two men listened in breathless
silence for an answering call.
We'll, gentlemen, what can do for
you?"
The words came in Murdock's voice.
Sprague's eyes met those OF the re-
porter and saw that the last faint glm-
mer OF hope was gone. In that swift
and silent interchange of thought
there was resignation TO the inevitable
doom and the final farewell of two
brave hearts.
The spluttering candle gave its last
flicker and went out, leaving the pris-
oners in utter darkness.
The room was rapidly filing with |
gas and they were beginning to feel its
effects.
I'VE can at least complete our task
before we die" said Sturgis, with grim
determination.
"Our task"
Yes, and insure Murdock's convic-
tion for our murder"
What chance is there that anyone
will ever discover our bodies. since they
are destined for Mur1ock's oblivion
tank"
give me your hand" Sturgis re-
piled; there is box of matches. |
place il here, between us. within easy
reach. | want to write few words
to the superintendent Of police to ex-
plain matters. BY that time there
Will he enough gas in the room to
produce terrific explosion when we
strike n match. We can thus succeed
in wrecking this place and calling at
tention to it. If | should succumb
before you do, do not fail to light
the match"
While he was speaking the reporter
had taken from his pocket a pad and
T. pencil and had begun to write as
rapidly as he could in the darkness,
Sprague's head was beginning to
swim and his ears were ringing but