The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-01-25

the corner. WIFI the dlO Oh Ills Skei-
eton key he had soon thrown this
open. After peering for an instant
into the darkness, he took from his
pocket candle, which he lighted.
Then, reckoning to his companions,
he started cautiously to descend. Tie
other men followed him and soon
found themselves in the cellar, which
they proceeded to search.
On the street side there was a recess
extending for a few feet under the
ara in front of the house. The open
ing above was covered by an iron graf
ing, over which was a wooden cover
securely fastened on the inside by
chain and paddock. A number of car
boys were carefully piled along the
east wall to within few feet from
the rear of the building. Here, in the
northeast. corner, rose narrow shelv-
ing, on which were arranged a collec-
ton of bottles containing varied as
sortment of chemicals.
The detectives searched the cellar.
"Our man is not here, at any rate"
said the leader, when at last he had re-
turned to the foot of the stairs; per
haps he'll try to give us the slip by
way of the roof. Come along, Jim;
let's go upstairs now. Hello! what are
you doing there, Mr.. Sturgis? Think
you'll find him in one of those bottles?'
The reporter appeared to be closely
inspecting the chemicals on the mar
row shelves.
"Who knows?" he replied, coolly,
b;c
The detective bit his lip and looked
the unpleasant things he thought it
best not to say.
"Well, Jim and I will take look
upstairs while you are busy here"
And the two men went up the dark
stairway, Sprague remaining behind
with the reporter.
"None so blind as those that won't
see," said the latter, sententiously.
At the same time he placed his hand
upon one of the shelves and gave it a
lateral push. 1t responded slightly,
and the entire shelving, with the door
which it concealed, opened outward.
81 thought So" continued the re-
porter; ''this looks as if it might lead
somewhere. Will you come, Sprague?"
'How did you find the combination
so quickly?" asked the artist, prepar
ing to follow his friend.
"It is not u combination-only a
concealed bolt. Our friends of the de-
tective force might have discovered it
themselves if they had taken the trou-
BILE. The first thing noticed was that
a 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 large case
which we know was delivered here to-
day. The trail extended clear up to
the wall below the shelving; and yet
no truck, even unloaded, could pass
below that lowest shelf. The conclusion
was evident. I sounded the back or 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 soiled in
just one spot, as though by the re-
peated contact of Il hand. From this,
urgued that the bolt must be attached
to this board. And it was. That is al"
AS he spoke, the reporter entered a
dark and narrow passage.
Don't shut the door," said he to his
companion, who followed him.
At that moment, however, the artist
stumbled; and, instinctively holding
out his hands to save himself from fall
ing, he released his hold of the door,
which closed with slam.
THAT is unfortunate" said Sturgis;
1--WE may have to lose some time in
learning how to work the bolt from
this side. Hold on; it will be prudent
to keep open a line of retreat. in case
of unforeseen emergencies. Hello! we
are in luck. Nothing concealed on this
side; the bolt in plain sight; works
easily. ALPS well. Then let us go on:
unless 1 am greatly mistaken, we shall
find another exit on the other side"
After following the underground
passage for some distance the men
climbed some steps and reached a
square chamber, on one side of which
rose a stairway leading to a door
above. The room was surmounted by a
skylight. which was wide open, admit
ting draught of cold air from the
outside.
Sturgis set down his lighted candle
and proceeded to examine his sur
roundings. In the middle of the room
stood a truck, upon which lay long
pine box. A table and chair consti-
fl L ~