The stayer. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1896-1903, 1902-02-27
CHAPTER Xxi.
THE DEATH CHAMBER.

Before the men had gone many
steps grating sound reached their
ears from the direction of the sky
light. They looked up and saw slid
ing steel shutters slowly and ponder
ously close, like grim jaws: and sud
denly they felt themselves cut off
from the outside world
Sturgis, taking up his lighted can
die. made his way to the door Of the
suotcrranean passage and tried in
vain TO open it; the heavy iron bolt
remained immovable in its socket.
Inch by inch he scrutinized the door
with growing anxiety. At last he
abandoned the search and returned in
the direction of the square chamber.
THAT explains why he wanted to
shut me in here when | was in his
office" he muttered under his breath.
What is the NATTER" asked
Sprague.
I'VE are caught like rats in trap,
replied Sturgis. Then with feeling he
added: II do not know how this will
end. old man. | have bungled, and |
fear the game is lost. If our lives are
the forfeit. you will owe your death to
my stupidity
Sprague looked at his friend, as if
surprised TO hear him apparently
abandon the fight.
Don't worry about me-" he said,
kindly; Il came here of my own free
will. But" he added, as vision of
Agnes Murdoch flashed upon his mind,
81 have no intention to die just yet
if l can help it. Are We not both able
bodied men and armed? What can one
man do against two?'
1T is not an open fight" said Stur-
gis. but am glad to see your spirit.
do not give up: but ! want you to
realize that we are in critical situa-
ton, with the odds enormously against
u.s."
WHY, what can Murdoch do?'
perhaps what he did to Chatham.
1t will probably not be long before we
discover what that was
But there must be some way OF
opening that door from the inside
said Sprague.
There evidently is none" replied
Sturgis; "he probably controls these
doors from the outside by electrical
connection"
The men were back in the square
chamber. Sturgis' eyes were rowing
restlessly over the walls. ceiling and
floor in search of loophole of escape.
There is no chance to reach the sky
light without ladder; and even if we
could reach it, we should be no fur
Their advanced, as it would be impos-
sible to make any impression on the
steel shutters. That leaves the regis
ter and the speaking tube. While |
examine the register, suppose you try
the tube. II II connects with the Man
haitian Chemical company's office,
there is a bare chance that we may at
tract the attention of the detectives
whom we left there
AS we were saying, Mr.. Sturgis-"
The words came in Murdock's mock
ing tones.
Sturgis quickly held the lighted can
die above his head and peered in the
direction whence came the sound. y
panel of the door at the head of the
stairs had been pushed up, revealing
small opening, covered by strong and
closely woven wire netting.
'As we were saying, murder will
out" Nevertheless, it is sometimes
easier to weld chain, even of circum-
stantial evidence, than it is to pre-
dict who will be bound in it,"
Sturgis and Sprague stood in the
light of the candle, silent
~ Watching the glowing eyes behind
the screen.
"Mr. Sturgis, you are a clever man."
continued Murdoch. ian uncommonly
clever man. frankly admit that !
had moderated your ability. But then
we are all fallible, after all. made my
share of blunders, as you seem to have
but you will doubtless now
that your own course has not
been entirely free from errors. And
now that we have reached the conclu-
sion of this interesting game, l have
the honor to announce: Mate in one
move" Perhaps you are surprised that
| should take the trouble to explain the
situation to you so clearly. do SO in
recognition Of your superior intelli-
yence. | see in you peer. If matters
could have been so arranged, l should
have been proud to work in harmony
with such a man as you; and indeed,
when short time ago | invited you to
my laboratory, it was my intention to
offer you a compromise which hoped
| might be able TO persuade you to ac-
cept. felt that you would prove an
ally who could be trusted. But, alas,
that is impossible now, on account of
your friends presence. With all due
respect to Mr.. Sprague, as an amiable
man of the world and prince of good
it may be said that he is not
one of us. Much to my sorrow. there
fore, | am left no alternative to the
course am about to adopt. The fault,