The representative., 1901-05-09
EDGAR M()RETTE
SV~''
BY

you OOlng there, Mr.. SturgiS? Think
you'll finG him in one Of those bottlesr.
The reporter appeared to be closely
inspecting the chemicals on the mar
row shelves.
''Who knows?" he replied. cooll1,
continuing his examination.
The detective bit his lip and looked
the unpleasant things he thought ID
best not to say.
"Well. Jim and / will take a 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 wont
sce," said the latter. sententiously.
At the same time he placed his hand
upon one Of the shelves and gave it
lateral push. 1t responded slightly.
and the entire shelving, with the door
which it concealed, opened outward.
II thought so," continued the re-
porter; "this looks as if it might lead
somewhere. Will you come, SpragueT
''How did you find the combination
SO quickly?" asked the artist. prepar-
ing to follow his friend.
ut is not a combnation--only
concealed bolt. Our friends of the de-
tective force might have discovered IL
themselves if they had taken the trou-
BILE. The first thing noticed was that
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 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 soiled in
just one spot, as though by the re-
peated contact of hand. From this, I
urgued that the bolt must be attached
to this board. And it was. That is ALL
As he spoke, the reporter entered =
dark and narrow passage.
Don't shut the door," said he to hin
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 a 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; 1t will be prudent
to keep open 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. Ais we'll Then let US go on;
unless I am greatly mistaken, we shah
find another exit on the other side."
After following the underground
passage for some distance the men
climbed some steps and reached q
square chamber, on one side of which
rose a stairway leading to a door
above. The room was surmOunted by
skylight, which was wide open, admit
outside.
Sturgis set down his lighted candle
and proceeded to examine his sur
roundings. In the middle of the room
stood truck, upon which lay long
pine box. A table and a chair consti-
tuted the only furniture of the place.
At one side there was long. low.
lead-lined tank, filed to the depth Of
about two feet with dark viscous
liquid. Near it lay a few empty car
boys. In the floor there was what
seemed to be hot-air register, Of large
size and of peculiar construction. The
walls were bare, unbroken, save by the
projection of the mouthpiece of
speaking tube, and by set of shelves
filled with TASKS, crucibles, alembics
and the other paraphernalia of a chem
lists laboratory.
After the reporter had finished re-
connoitering he sat down upon the
long box in deep thought. Sprague OBJ
served him with silent curiosity for
awhile, and then, with growing impa-
tience:
II say, old man." he ventured at last
to ask, did you bring me here, armed
to the teeth, to see you go of into .
trance?"
Sturgis started like man suddenly
awakened from deep sleep.
"Eh? What? Oh, yes-those conf
dences. Well, you start in with yours.
/ am trying to find the denouement Of
my story. I feel that it Is just within
my grasp; and yet l cannot seem to
see it yet. But can listen to you while
l am thinking. Go on"
II have not any story to tell" said
Sprague, somewhat offended at his
friends apparent Indifference to what
he had to say.
"Oh, yes, you have" retorted Stur-
gis, with q conciliatory smile; you
said you had news to tell me. Well, tell
away. l am listening most respectful
ly, in spite Of my apparent absorp-
tion."
"What strange fellow you are, Stur-
gis." laughed Sprague, good-natured1y.
"All I wanted to tell you-and YOU are
the first to hear of it--is the, to me-,
rather important fact that / am en-
gagged to be married"
"You are?" exclaimed Sturgis, with
genuine pleasure. II congratulate you,
old fellow, from the bottom Of my
heart"
He seized the artists hand and shook
It in his hearty grasp.
"To the original of the picture yo1
wanted to show me yesterday?" he
asked.
Eyes"
'Then she was not betrothed to the
other fellow, after all?"