The Parisian. (Paris, Tenn.) 1907-1962, 1914-10-30
INERA.REp Ray NOTES.

/ Inc pure lnITh-Ieu ray winch mas De6n
| developed by LeCroix from the expert
ments of the Italian scientist, Ulivi, causes
when concentrated by an apparatus per-
| fected by LeCroix, an instantaneous COM
| bustion of non-refecting surfaces. 1t is
| particularly deadly in Its effect on the
| brain centers.
| 1t can be diverted, it is said, however,
| by a shield composed of platinum backed
| by asbestos.
Next Kennedy opened the case
which he had taken out of the cab
| met, and from 1t he took out plat
| inum-asbestos mirror, which was
something of his own invention. He
held 1t up, and in pantomime showed
me just how 1t would cut off the dead
| ly rays.
He had not finished even that, when
| a peculiar noise in the laboratory it.
self disturbed him, and he hastily
thrust the asbestos-platinum shield
into his pocket.
Though we had not realized 1t, our
return had been anticipated
Suddenly from closet projected a
magazine gun, and before we could
move Clutching Hand himself slowly
appeared behind US.
We started to our feet, but in an
| instant found ourselves sprawling on
the floor.
In the cabinet, beneath the labora-
tory table, another crook had been
hidden, and he tackled us with all
| the skill of an old football player,
against whom we had no defense.
Four Of them were upon US lin
stantly.
At the same time Thomas, the faith
less valet of Bennett, had been dis
patched by the Clutching Hand to
commander his masters roadster in
his absence, and, carrying out the In
structions, he had driven up before
Elaine's house at the very moment
when she was going out for walk.
Thomas jumped out of the car and
touched his hat deferentially.
"a message from Mr.. Bennett,
ma 'am,g he explained. "Mr. Kennedy
and Mr.. Bennett have sent me to ask
you to come over to the laboratory"
Unsuspectingly, Elaine stepped into
the car and drove off.
Instead, however, of turning and
pulling up On the laboratory side of
the street, Thomas stopped opposite
| 1t. He got out and Elaine, thinking
that perhaps it was to save time
hot he no fl1r Cd fhn 20 p a nd
| followed.
The door was opened quickly by
lookout of the Clutching Hand and the
valet asked if Craig and Elaine's law
yer were in. OF course, the lookout
replied that they were, and before
Elaine knew it she was jostled into
the dark hallway.
And as the door slammed she caught
sight of the fearsome Clutching Hand
| himself
She drew back, but was too fright
ened even to scream.
With harsh, cruel laugh, the super
criminal beckoned to her to follow
him and look down through small
trapdoor.
Unable now to resist, she did so.
There she saw us. To that extent
the valet had told the truth. Ken
| nedy was standing In deep thought,
while / sat on an old box, smoking a
| cigarette-very miserable.
Watching his chance, when the
| street was deserted, the Clutching
Hand and his followers had hustled
| US over to the new hangout from the
laboratory. There they had met more
crooks and had thrust us into this vile
hole.
AS the various Intellectual schemes
| for escape surged through my head, l
| happened to look up and caught a
| glance of horror on Craig's face. |
followed his eyes. There, above US,
was Elaine!
/ saw her look from us to the Clutch
| ing Hand in terror. But none of us
uttered a word.
Il will now show you, my dear
| young lady" almost Kissed the Clutch
| ing Hand at length, "as pretty a game
| of hide and seek as you have ever
seen"
AS he said it another trapdoor near
| the infra-red ray machine was opened
| and beam of light burst through. l
knew 1t was not that which we had to
| fear, but the invisible rays that ac-
companied it, the rays that had af-
fected the bolometer
Just then spot of light showed
near my foot, moving about the CO.
ment floor until 1t fell on my shoe In
stantly the leather charred, even be-
fore could move.
Kennedy and leaped to our feet
and drew back. The beam followed
us. We reteated further Still 1t fol-
lowed, inexorably.
Clutching Hand was now holding
Elaine near the door where she could
not help seeing, laughing diabolically
while he directed LeCroix and the rest
to work the infra-red ray apparatus
through the trap.
AS we lodged from corner to corner,
endeavoring to keep the red ray from
touching US, the crooks seemed In no
hurry, but rather to enjoy prolonging
the torture, as does a cat with a
mouse.
"Please-oh, please-stop!" begged