The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-11-29


northeast corner, rose narrow shelv-
ing, on which were arranged 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 knews?" he replied, coolly,
continuing his examination.
The detective bit his lip and looked
the unpleasant things he thought it
best not to say.
We'll, Jim and 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.
II thought So" continued the re-
porter; "this looks as if it might lead
somewhere. Win you come, Sprague??"
'How did you find the combination
SO quickly?" asked the artist, prepar-
ing to follow his friend.
cit is not combination-only
concealed bolt. Our friends of the de-
tectiye force might have discovered it
themselves if they had taken the trou-
BILE. The first thing l 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. [ 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, l
urgued that the bolt must be attached
TO this board. And 1T was. That's all. .
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.
4 "That is unfortunate,' said Sturgis;
swe may have to lose some time il
learning how to work the bolt from
this side Hold on; it win be prudent
to keep open d 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 ] am greatly mistaken. we shall
find another exit on the other side"
After following the underground
passage for some distance the mel
climbed some steps and reached ;
square chamber. on one side of whicl
rose a stairway leading 10 doc
above. The room was surmounted by
skylight. which was wide open, admit
ting draught of cold air from tn
outside.
Sturgis set down his lighted candl
and proceeded to examine his sur
roundings. In the middle of the roof
stood truck. upon which lay lon
| pine box \ table and chair consti
tuted the only furniture OF the place
At one side there was a long, low
, lead-lined tank. filled to the depth c
about two feet With dark viscou
: liquid. Near ii lay a few empty cal
boys. In the floor there was wha
| seemed to be a hot-air register, of lars
size and of peculiar construction. Th
:. walls were bare, unbrollen, save by til
projection of the mouthpiece of
speaking tube, and by Il set OF shelve
filed with TASKS. crucibles, alembis
and the other paraphernalia of chen
lists laboratory.
After the reporter had finished r.
! connoitering he sat down upon til
i long box in deep thought. Sprague OIL
served him with silent curiosity fc
/ awhile, and then, with growing impi
tience: