Little Falls herald., 1901-12-13

The question interested sturgis, and
his mind at once began to: seek, an
! answer to it. -: - =
There were three doors leading
from the study. One of these was the
one by which Murdock and Sturgis
had just entered from the hall. No
! one could have, passed out that way
without meeting them.
Then there were the folding doors
leading into the library: but, as the
! door leading from the library to the
hall had remained slightly ajar, stur-
gis felt sure that he would have heard
the man had he gone out by that
way.
The third door led to small ex-
tension.
He must have gone into the ex-
tension thought sturgis.
The only alternative was an exit
through the windows. This in itself
would not have presented any special
difficulty; for the distance to the
tagging below was hardly more than
IL or 13 feet. But the yard, which
was of diminutive size on account of
the space allotted to the garden on
the street, was inclosed by an un-
usually high fence, protected by
row of sharp and closely set spikes.
These looked so formidable that the
thought of anyone attempting to
scale the fence instantly suggested
visions of impaled wretches writhing
in oriental tortures. The only pos
sible exit from the yard, therefore,
seemed to be through the basement;
that is to say, past the kitchen and
the servants department..
the reporters brain in small frac-
ton of the time which is required to
record them. They occurred to him
unbidden, while his conscious efforts
were centered upon discovering how
Chatham had managed to escape from
the rear of the Manhattan Chemical
company's building.
This Sturgis recognized without
much difficulty. It was directly in
line with the house in which he now
was, and it's yard did not differ from
the neighboring ones, the fences of
which could be scaled without much
trouble. Chatham evidently might
have passed into any one of several
buildings which lacked the protection
Of the formidable spikes that so ef
fectually guarded the approach to
Murdock's house from the rear.
One point, however, was puzzling.
Why should Chatham take the trou-
BILE and the risk of scaling fences in
broad daylight, only to return few
hours later by the street door under
the very noses of the detectives from
whom he had presumably wished to
escape? There seemed to be no plaus-
ible answer to this question.
But Sturgis was not given much
time in which to consider it; for Mur-
dock, who had waited for him to
broach the subject of his interview,
now coldly remarked:
"Perhaps, Mr.. Sturgis, you will be
good enough to inform me to what
I owe the honor of this visit?'
Sturgis took as q pretext the first
subject which came into his mind.
"Doctor," said he, II have been told
that you were engaged in a series of
brilliant chemical researches; that
you had proved, or were on the point
of proving, that several, at least, of
the so-called elementary metals are
compounds; thus ushering in the
realization of the dream Of the al
chemists-the transmutation of met.
ais"
You have not come here to inter-
view me on the subject of my chemical
researches?" laughed Murdock.
why not?"
because l gave you credit for pos
sessing the scientific spirit. A man
spends years in making series of ex-
haustive experiments, and refrains
from advancing any theory until he
has built up an elaborate monument of
cold facts; and you ask him to make
premature report, to be spread broad
cast in sensational sheet, with all the
embellishments which an unbridled re-
portorial imagination can add to it.
NO, sir, my report, when it is ready,
will be made through the proper chan
nels. I am surprised that one who
passes for man of science should be
willing to make such a request"
If Murdock intended to gall the re-
porter, he succeeded; for, modest as he
was, sturgis prided himself above all
things: upon the scientific value of his
work in all its aspects. He manifested
no external sign of annoyance, how
ever, az he answered, with smile:
II an not q man of science now, but
only reporter"
In that case," replied Murdock, ''let
us talk Of something else. should be
pleased to discuss my; chemical re-
searches with Mr.. sturgls. the scientist:
but with Mr.. sturgis, the reporter,
should prefer totaik about something
In his line Of knowledge; let me zee,
shall We the Knickerbocker bank
.; mystery, Tor instance?''
The Importers ear detected the ven
| omousS sarcasm to whioh he was now
accustomed from this strange man.
He raised his eyes to those of the chem