The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-07-21
EIGHTEENTH EPISODE

II anS. hennedy had thWarted the
Chinese master criminal in his search
for the millions amassed by the
/ lElutching Hand. But any joy that he
Ifnight have derived from this success
IEas completely obscured by the fear
hat WI might wreak some diabolical
Vengeance on Elaine.
Nor were Kennedy's fears unfounded.
IKu and Long Sin had scarcely reach
"a the secret apartment when the
subtle Chinaman began to contem-
plate revenge.
Hi Long Sin was smoking a Chinese
|lpipe, resting after their hurried flight,
while WI, the tireless, was seated at
IL table at the other end of the room.
1t last WI Fang took up a long Chi
Ihese dirk from the table before him,
BOXED at it, turned it over, felt its
lkdge. He rose and deliberately walked
hcross to a door leading into a back
loom.
On couch lay Elaine, and with her,
IS guardian, was Weepy Mary.
AS WI, the Serpent, entered and
advanced slowly toward Elaine, she
| rrouched back from him in deadly
EAR.
Slowly he drew from under his robe
he Chinese dirk. He felt the edge of
again and gazed Significantly at
Elaine.
1t was a critical moment.
Just then Long Sin entered. zone
hf the five millions waits outside" he
reported simply, with a bow.
WI understood. 1t had been pleas
MT fiction of his that although he did
lot, of course, absolutely control such
stupendous organization, he could,
ihy his subtle power, force almost I'M
united allegiance from the simple
| 1bolies in that district of China from
Fhich he came.
| Out in the front room, just mo-
Ihent before, knock at the door had
disturbed Long Sin, and a Chinese
| EerVant had announced visitor Long
in had waved to the servant to usher
i'm in, and a poorly clad coolie had
inferred.
He bowed as Long Sin faced him.
Where is the master?' he had asked.
Long Sin had not deigned to speak.
NTH a mere wave of his hand he in
Heated that he would be the bearer
III the message, and had followed WI
through the door of the back room.
So, almost by chance, WI was inter
kupted in the brutal vengeance which
bad first come to his mind. He
kheathed the knife and, still without
word, went back into the main room,
IANivyiunr 70 RI r6
ilaine closely.
WI eyed the coolie until the new
bonner could almost feel the masters
Penetrating gaze, although his head
was bowed in awe. Quickly the coolie
thrust his hand under his blouse and
brew forth a package. With another
bow he advanced.
For your enemies, o MASTER" he
paid, handing the package over to
lWu.
ri The coolie started to open the pack
hge, removed the paper wrapper, and
hen a silk wrapping inside. Finally
he came to box, from which he drew
ID leather pouch, each operation con-
hucted with greater care as it became
evident that the contents were espe-
IEially precious in some way. Then he
look from the pouch a small vial.
What is it?" demanded WI Fang,
hs the coolie displayed,it.
The coolie draw forth now a magni-
Tying glass and glass slide. Opening
the vial with great care he shook
bomething out on the slide, then
placed it under the lens.
1 Look" he said simply.
WI bent over and looked Under
he lens what had formerly seemed to
be merely a black speck of dirt be-
lame now one of the most weird and
incanpy little creatures to be found in
Ill the realm of nature. 1t seemed to
be all legs and feelers moving at once
IA normal person would have looked
ferugnancs. WI regarded it with a
BORT of unholy fascination.
"And it is?" he queried.
"What the white man calls the Afri-
ean tick which carries the recurrent
Fever" answered the coolie deferen-
kially.
4 A flash of intense exultation seemed
10 darken WI Fang's sinister face
''Wait," he said to the coolie, as he
moved slowly again into the back
loom.
Long Sin had remained there With
Weepy Mary he was guarding Elaine,
when WI Fang re-entered. Elaine
was thoroughly aroused by this time.
Suffering is a state of mind WI
faid in low tone, "and have de-
ided that it would be poor revenge
or me to harm you. You are Free"
Nothing could have come as great
tr surprise to Elaine.
DO you-do you really mean it,"
she asked, scarcely able to believe
What her ears heard
WI merely nodded, and with a wave
bf his hand to Long Sin indicated that
Elaine was to be released.
She nerved herself to take several
steps toward the door. She had
&scarcely crossed half the room
watt" ordered WI sharply.
4 Was he merely torturing her, as a
|cat might torture a mouse? She
stopped obediently, afraid to look at
him.
This will be the vengeance Of WI
Fang" he went on impressively
'Slowly, one by one. your friends will
weaken and die. then your family, un
FL finally only you are left Then viii
9me your turn. =
..--t-