The stayer. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1896-1903, 1902-02-20
PRIVATE OFFICE.
NO ADMITTANCE.

One OF the detectives tried this door
and found it locked. Whcreupon he
placed his shoulder to it and prepared
10 force il in.
wait minute" said Sturgis; "let
me see if cannot open it,"
The detective stepped aside with a
quiZzical expression upon his face.
ii guess You will find il pretty solid
for your weight" said he
The reporter took from his pocket n
piece of bent wire, and. with few
dcXtcrous turns of the wrist, he shot
the bolt OF the lock.
You would make an expert cracks
man" said the detective. Il didn't
know You possessed that accomplish
ncnt in addition 10 all your other
ones"
The four men entered the private
Office. The room was quite dark. the
shutters being closed and the blinds
drawn. As their eyes became accus-
TONED TO the 0bscurity they were able
10 distinguish the outlines of desk,
q table and few chairs.
Sturgis went 81 once TO q door i'll
;hc corner. With the aid of his skcl-
eton key he had soon thrown this
open. After pccring for an instant
into the darkness, he took from his
pocket candle, which he lighted
Then, reckoning 10 his companions,
he started cautiously 10 descend. The
other men followed him and soon
found themselves in the cellar, which
they proceeded 10 search.
On the street side there was n recess
extending for 4 few feet under the
arn in front of the house The open
ing above WAS covered by an iron graf
ing, over which was n wooden cover
securely fastened on the inside by a
chain and paddock. \ number Of car
boys were carefully piled along The
east wall to within n few feet from
the rear Of the building. Here, in the
northeast corner, rose narrow shelly
ing, on which We're arranged a collec-
ton of bottles containing a 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 ar,
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 knows?" he replied, coolly,
continuing his examination.
The detective bit his lip and looked
the unpleasant things he thought il
best Eot TO say.
We'll. Jim and l 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 50 blind rs those that won.
see said the Iatter. scntentiously.
~ the same time he placed his hand
upon one Of the shelves and gave il 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 US if it might lead
somewhere. VIII you come. Sprague?"
How did you find the combination
so quickly?" asked the artist. prepar-
ing TO follow his friend.
1T is not u con- bination-only a
concealed bolt. Our friends Of the de-
tcctive force might have discovered it
themselves if they had taken the trou-
Bile. The first thing noticed was that
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 vet
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 VI SUING hlHu. AlltG lUdI, oil
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,
argued that the bolt must be attached
TO this board. And il was. That is all"
AS he spoke, the reporter entered
dark and narrow passage.
Don't shut the door" said he TO his
who followed him.
At that moment, however, the artist
stumbled; and, instinctiyeIy holding
out his hunds 10 save himself from fall
ing, he released his hold of the door.
which closed with slam.
That rs unfortunate" said Sturgis;
we may have 10 lose some time in
learning how to work the bolt from
this side, Hold on; it will be prudent
to keep open 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 well. Then let US go on;
unless ] am greatly mistaken, we shall
find another exit on the other eide"
After following the underground
passage for some distance the men
climbed some steps and reached