Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-28

lady" almost Kissed the Clutching Hand
at length, as pretty a game Of hide and
seek as you have ever seen"
AS he said It another trap door near
the infra-ray mechine was opened and a
beam Of light burst through. 1 knew It
was not that which we had TO fear but
the invisible rays that accompanied 1t,
the rays that had affected the bolometer.
Just then a spot Of light showed near
my foot, moving about the cement floor
until it fell on my shoe. Instantly the
leather charred even before ! could move.
Kennedy and 1 leaped to our feet and
drew back. The beam followed us. We
retreated further. Still it followed in
exorably.
Clutching Hand was now holding
Elaine near the door where she could not
help seeing, laughing diabolically, while
he directed lie Croix and the rest to work
the infra-red ray apparatus.
"Please-oh, please-stop!" begged
Elaine.
Clutching Hand only laughed with
fiendish delight and urged his men on.
The thing was getting closer and closer
Suddenly we heard a strange voice ring
out above us.
"Police!"
"where?" growled the Clutching Hand
in fury.
"outside-a raid! Run! He's told them"
At that door moment before the look
out suddenly had given a startled stare
and suppressed cry. Glancing down the
street he had seen q police patrol in
which were a score or more of the strong
arm squad. They had jumped out, some
carrying sledge-hammers. others axes.
Almost before he could cry out and re-
treat to give a warning they had reached
the door and the vast resounding blows
had been struck.
The lookout quickly had fled and drawn
the bolts of a strong inner door, and the
police began battering that 'impedient.
Instantly Clutching Hand turned to
lie Croix at the Fray machine.
Finish them!" he shouted.
We were now backed UP against a
small ell in the wall of the cellar. It was
barely large enough to hold us, but by
crowding we were able to keep out of
the reach OF the ray. The ray shot past
the ell and struck the wall couple Of
inches from us.
I looked. The cement began to crum-
Bile under the intense heat
Meanwhile the police were having great
difficulty with the steel boft-studded
door Still. it was yielding a bit
Hurry" shouted Clutching Hand to
LIE Croix.
Kennedy had voluntarily placed himself
in front Of me in the ell. Carefully to
avoid the ray. he took the asbestos
platinum shield from his pocket and slid
it forward as best he could over the wall
to the spot where the ray struck.
1t DETECTED the ray.
But 80 powerful was It that even that
part Of the ray which was DETECTED
could be seen to strike the ceiling in tho
corner. which was OF wood Instantly.
before Kennedy could even move the
shield, the wood burst into flames.
Above us now smoke was pouring into
the room where the DETECTED ray struck
the floor and flames broke out.
Rum" shouted Clutching Hand, as they
opened a secret gate. disclosing a spiral
flight of iron steps.
A moment later all had disappeared ex-
cept Clutching Hand himself. The last
door would hold only a few seconds. but
Clutching Hand was waiting TO take ad-
of even that. With a last fran
tic effort he sought 20 direct the terrible
ray at us. Elaine acted instantly. With
all her strength she rushed forward,
overturning the machine.
Clutching Hand uttered a growl and
slowly raised his gun, taking aim with
the butt for a we'll directed blow at her
head.