Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-11-07

Hin"
He stood thoughtfully considering
what pretcXt he could use TO gain adj
mission to the house. when suddenly
he became aware Of the presence of
man who had approached with
noisclcss steps.
"Ah, is that you. Mr.. Sturgis?" said
the calm, sardonical voice of DR.. MUIR
dock
The reporter started inwardly, but
gave no outward sign Of surprise.
Were you about to do me the honor
of calling?' continued the chmeist.
yes" said Sturgis, deliberately;
81 was about to seek an interview
with you. Can you spare a few min
utcs?"
"Who is it that asks for the inter
vicw?' inquired Murdoch, with quiet
sarcasm. as it Mr.. Sturgis, gentle
man; Mr.. Sturgis, reporter, or -"
Sturgis met a cold CLEAN from Muir
docks inscrutablc eyes.
"Or Mr.. Sturgis, the famous de-
tcc'ive?" continued the chemist with
an imperccptiblc sneer
81 represent the Tempest" replied
the reporter, quietly.
Murdoch glanced carclessly ND and
down the street. There was no one
in sight.
"Oh' very well he said, taking out
his latchkey and leading the way to
the house; come into my study and
Let me hear what ! can do for the
Tempest"
On entering the house Murdock mo-
toned Sturgis to the door leading
from the hall into the drawing-room.
"lf you viii step into the parlor for
a few minutes, / shall be with you di-
rectly," said he.
Sturgis nodded acouicsccnce. and
while Murdoch walked toward his
study. which was at the extreme rear
Of the hall. the reporter opened the
drawing door. He did not omen
II very wide, however neither did he
/ enter; for although the room was
rather dark, his quick eye caught
passing glimpse of a feminine head
cozily nestled upon a distinctly mas
culine shoulder. the owner of which
Flor cEnic though he was. Sturgis had
not the heart to interrupt so inter
esting situation; and. as the couple
were so absorbed that they had not
noticed the intrusion upon their tcte-
a-tete he discreetly retreated and
softly closed the door.
BY this time Murdoch had passed
into his study, so that Sturgis found
himself alone in the hall. He was
glad Of short respite during which
he might collect his thoughts; for.
having been taken by surprise. he had
not had time to select a plausible
topic for the interview which he had
solicited from Murdoch. Not know.
ing that the house was that of the |
chemist, his sole object had been to
gain admittance, SO that he might be
able to observe the Manhattan Chem
zeal company's Offices from the rear,
and if possible to ascertain how Chat
ham had managed TO give the detec-
tiyes the slip the first time he APP
pearcd to them.
Now that he was in the house the
reporter was confronted with the ne
ccssity of explaining his presence
there without betraying his true pur-
pose. This would not have been
difficult matter had the inmates of
the house been total strangers: but
he felt that it would be by no means
SO easy to offer an explanation which
would be satisfactory to a man of
Murdock' 5 keen perception. And Muir /
dock was the last person to whom he !
would have contidcd the true reason .
of his visit; not only because the
chemist, as his opponent in the wager
concerning the knickerbocker bank /
mystery, was interested in thwarting
rather than in aiding his investiga- |
ton, but chiefly because he felt n |
strong instructive distrust of the man.
AS these thoughts were passing
through the reporters mind, he slow
~ paced the long hall. back and
FORTH with his hands behind his back.
In so doing. he passed door which
was slightly aiar and caught a
glimpse of long rows of bookshelves
loaded with beautifully bound edi-
tions, The place Pas evidently the
library. 1t occurred to him that
library is public room and that he
would be more comfortable in there
than in the hall.
He pushed open the door and looked
in. The room was empty. He en-
tered.
The library occupied space be-
tween the parlor and the rear room
into which Murdoch had entered and
it was separated from each of these
rooms by folding-doors over which
hung heavy portieres
Sturgis was a lover of books: his
interest was at once aroused in the
collection before him. 1t was aG-
mrably selected from the standpoint
of philosopher and a man of Sci
ence. Every department of history,
of philosophy and of science had its
section in which the volumes were
classified and arranged with intelli-
gent care. But curiously enough, po-
rtry and art were but meagerly rep
resented.
One section specially attracted
SturSis' attention. 1t was devoted en-
tirely to the history of crime in all
it's phases and in all ages. Criminal
statistics, criminal Jurisprudence and
the psychology of crime, as well as
I he biOpruphipS of all the noted criu-