Sturgis, still unable to stir from the chair in which he had fallen, was vaguely conscious of Murdock's movements. He saw the chemist open the safe which stood near his table and take from it numerous bundles of bank-notes, which he carefully packed into a valise; he saw him take from the same safe a few richly bound note-books, which he proceeded to do up in a neat bundle, securely tied and sealed. This done, the chemist put on his hat and coat, and was preparing to pass out into the hallway, when a knock sounded upon the door. Murdock opened slightly--enough to show himself, without revealing the presence of the other occupants of the room. It was one of the housemaids. "Plaze, sur," said the girl, in a frightened voice, "the polacemun says he can't wait no longer; he must see yer right away." "Are they in the parlor?" "Only the polacemun, sur; the other man said he would wait outside." Murdock took a minute for reflection. "Wait in the hall until I call you," he said, at last. "If the policeman becomes impatient, tell him I shall not be long; that I am engaged on most important business." No sooner had the girl gone than Murdock, seizing the valise and the package, opened the door of the extension. His eyes rested for a while upon his daughter, who, still absorbed in the tender care of her inanimate lover, was oblivious of all else. There was in them an unusual expression,--almost a tender light; but the impassive face was otherwise emotionless. The chemist seemed to hesitate for a brief instant whether to speak; then, passing out into the extension, he softly closed the door behind him. Sturgis alone, weak and powerless, had seen him go. CHAPTER XXIV. CHECKMATE! The two detectives, after leaving Sprague and Sturgis in the cellar of the Manhattan Chemical Company, proceeded to search the premises from basement to roof. Then, somewhat discomfited, they returned to the cellar, and were surprised to find that the reporter and his friend had disappeared. After questioning the man whom they had left on watch on the outside, and ascertaining that neither Sprague nor Sturgis had yet left the house, the detectives called loudly to the missing men, and receiving no reply, at last became alarmed, and sent word of the mysterious disappearance to headquarters. The chiefs answer came at once: "Remain on watch where you are. We shall investigate from the other side." One of the detectives thereupon went up to the roof of the building, whence he could keep watch upon the back yards, while his companion remained in the front hall. They had been waiting thus for some time, when the latter thought he heard footsteps in the direction of the private office. He was on the alert in an instant. The door was cautiously opened and a man stepped out into the hallway. He carried a valise and a package. He blinked like a man coming suddenly from the darkness into the daylight.