The stayer. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1896-1903, 1902-02-13
CHAPTER NIX.
THE UNDERGROUND PASSAGE

oh. | say, old man." exclaimed the
artist, hardly able to conceal his ella
ton, II am glad TO see you. | have
news to tell you"
80 have |. But ! am in hurry
now. Come along with me: we can
exchange condolences on the way"
Very WE'LL whittier are you
bound?"
Il am on the track of big game
Can you spare a couple of hours? |
think | can promise you an interest
ing afternoon"
What is it? The Knickerbocker
bank case?"
Yes"
Sprague readily consented to ac-
company his friend.
by the way" inquired Sturgis,
/ have YOU any weapons?"
ANY quantity of them among the
/ properties of the studio" replied
Sprague, surprised; but | do not 90
about armed in broad daylight"
You would better have revolver"
said the reporter. You will probably
have no occasion to use it," he added.
in answer to his friends glance, but
il is best to be on the safe side
Very well; shall go home for one.
Where am | to meet you?"
AT police headquarters in about
half an hour. Let me see: it is now
nearly five o'clock. Say at half-past
five. 1t will be necessary to obtain n
couple OF warrants ana the help of
the police before we start"
After Sprague had left him Sturgis
approached Detective Conkln, who
was still at his post.
Did Chatham show up while |
was in there" he asked, Indicating
Murdock's house.
NO. sir"
Did you notice the man with whom
I went in?"
YES. sir"
We'll. let Chatham 90 for the pres
ent and stick close to that man if he
stirs from the house. l shall be back
in less than an hour"
"All right, sir
When Sprague reached police head.
quarters he found the reporter ready
to start with four detectives. He had
not. therefore, any opportunity for
conversation with his friend until the
party reached its destination. There
two of the detectives relieved the men
previously on duty. while the others
accompanied Sturgis and Sprague to
the office of the Manhattan Chemical
company.
Ii was after six o'clock The place
was closed for the night and seemed
quite deserted. One of the men rang
the bell. The tinklng echoes died
away, but no sign of life manifested
itself from within. Then he seized
the pull and piled it again repeatedly
and vigorously.
That will do" observed Sturgis,
presently; 1.-The old woman is coming
as fast as she can"
what old woman?" asked the de-
tective.
Il don't know. Perhaps ought to
have said an old woman. ! hear her
hobbling on the stairs
The detective placed his ear TO the
keyhole. After listening attentively,
he turned to the reporter with an in
credulous smile.
well, Mr.. Sturgis,' said he, "if you
can hear anything in there, your ears
are sharper than mine. That's all |
can say"
She is on the second fight" replied
the reporter, quietly. "Now she is in |
the second-story hall-and now you
last flight"
BY this time, sure enough, the sound |
of footsteps began to be audible to the |
other three men; and presently the |
door opened and disclosed the scared |
face of an old Irish woman.
And phwat might yez be wantin,'
gintlemin, to be after scarin' an ould |
woman most to death wild yer ring
no" she asked, somewhat aggressive
ly.
I'VE want TO see Mr.. Chatham" re-
piled one of the detectives.
Mister who, is it?"
Thomas Chatham. Show me the way
To his room. III 90 right up and my
friends will wait for me here"
Mister Thomuz Chathum. is it?"
said the old woman; well, we've come
to the wrong house TO see him, do be
fer he don't live here"
Come, that won't do" said the de-
tectiye, sharply; 1--WE belong to the po-
lice, and we saw Chatham enter this
house,
At the mention of the police, the old
hays parchment face became a shade
yellower and her eyes glistened.
Sure. thin, if he do be hidin' here,
it's mesilf as 'ud know it," she said,
after short interval; but yez can
oind 'um, If yez loike; yez can foind
UNI"
Whereupon she turned and hobbled
of, leaving the intruders to their own
resources.
They found themselves in narrow
On the right was a rickety
staircase leading to business offices in
The upper part of the building; on the
eft, door opening into the Office of