The stayer. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1896-1903, 1902-02-13

VIII De maze lATous. - ,.-> ts.S per Clidll-
ucls. | am surprised that one who
passes for Il man OF science should be
willing TO make such request"
If Murdoch intended to gall the re-
porter. he succeeded; fo-, modest as he
was, Sturgis prided himself above all
things upon the scientific value of his
work in all lis aspects. He manifested
no external sign of annoyance, how
ever. ms he answered, with smile:
Il am not a man of science now, but
only a reporter"
In that case" replied Murdoch, let
rs talk Of something else. should re
pleased TO discuss my chemical re-
searches with Mr.. Sturgis, the scientist;
but with Mr.. Sturcis. the reporter. |
should prefer to talk about something
in his line OF knowledge; let me see,
shall we say TIE I.r.ckerbocker bank
mystery. for instance"
The reporters ear detected the ven
omous sarcasm to which he was now
accustomed from this strange man.
He raised his eyes to those of the chem
list, and for the space OF few seconds
the tWo men looked steadily into each
others souls.
Then a sudden light flashed across
Sturgis' brain. and he started rercepti-
bly,. At the same time he thought he
saw shadow cross Murdock's impaS-
slve features; but in this he might have
been mistaken. Tor when he looked
again the chemist was regarding him
with an air of "a curiosity.
rs anything the matter, MIR. Stur-
gis"" he asked.
Only sudden thought" cnrelessly
replied t.NrEis, who TO all appearances
hat completely recovered from the mo-
menta1y shock produced by the sud
dennoss OF tn" suspicion which had
crossed his mind. -FOUR mention Of
the Naturalization bank mystery re-
minded - q something, 'hatis all"
LNer since Sprague's elmer, said
Nuroock' Il have been deyoting all my
rpare time 10 the reading Of the Tenn
pest. IN the hope Of finding there SEN
aatIcraI account, with glazing head
lines, OF the brilliant work Of our dis
tlnguisaed reporter, Mr.. Sturgis.'
StErgls made no reply His eyes were
hNed upon the typewriter which stood
near Nurdoch's desk.
t p TO the present time continued
Murdoch Il have not seen anything 10
cause me to worry about my stakes"
i have still p days in which to COM
piele my case SAID sturgis,
true replied Murdoch. We'll, |
wish YOU luck. If / can render you any
assistance IN your Investigations l
hoFe yon viii call upon me. In the
cause OF science would willingly jeop-
aruize my stakes. For instance. If you
need to consult any works Of reference,
my library - at your disposal. ! am
tod that. at least on the subjects in
which Yen are interested, IL is quite
complete.
lie observed the reporter narrowly.
as II to mark the effect Of his words.
II Ia' rePicu otursls' aiter an al
most IHlp'lcep'iole hesitation; i nave
ALREADY aunlired IT,
lnuc1"' SAID Murdoch arching his
proNs IN mia surprise
les' ! stepped INTO the library for
Il Ie" minutes "hlIe was waiting LOT
you,
An yes; see.
MURDOCH gave the reporter another
searching looh. linen ne Ieant back
IN ms easy chaIr with half-closed eyes
ana silently puhed away at his cigar
Tor lew minutes.
1ad Stursis been able 10 read the
sinister 'houghts winch were passing
through the mind OF TINS impassi'e
man as ne SAT apparently IN lazy en-
JoHIheh' OF ms fragrant havana 1t Is
Pfoo"ole mat ne ihight nave lost some
,! me interest "A!ch ne seemed sud
writer Hut ba ,,.as L,7s,,. With l,;u. C,,.,,