Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-06-28

artificial flowers on a stand, which he
had been using long before in the
study of synthetic eoloring materials
Before Elaine could recover her
tongue he seized them and stuck them
into tall beakcr, like vase. Then
he deliberately walked to the window
and placed the beaker on the ledge in
a most prominent position.
Elaine and Bennett, to say nothing
OF myself, gazed at him, awe-struck
Isis there no other way but to
surrender she asked.
Kennedy mournfully shook his
head
I'm afraid not, he answered slow
( ly There's no telling how far a fell
low who has this marvellous power
might 60 | think Id better leave, to
save you. He may not content him
self with innocent outsiders always"
Nothing that any of US could say.
not even the pleadings of Elaine her
self, could move him The thought
that at eleven o'clock third innocent
passer-by might lie stricken on the
street seemed to move him powerfully.
I'm SO sorry-Craig,' murmured
Elaine. choking back her emotion and
finding it impossible to go on,
80 am |, Elaine" he answered,
tensely "But-perhaps-when this
trouble blows over
He paused. unable to go on. turned
and shook his head Then with
forced gayety he babe Elaine and
Perry Bennett adieu, saying that per
haps a trip might do him good.
They had scarcely gone out, and
Kennedy closed the door carefully
when he turned and went directly to
the instrument which | had seen him
observing so interestedly.
Plainly could see that 1t was reg
istering something.
He walked fairly close to the win
dow this time, keeping well out of the
direct line of 1t, however and there
stood gazing out into the street.
I'VE are being watched" he said
slowly, turning and looking at me fix
eddy, but don't dare investigate lest
1t cost the lives of more unfortunates."
He stood for a moment in deep
thought. Then he pulled out suit
case and began silently to pack it,
Although we had not dared to in
vestigate we knew that from build
ing across the street emissaries of
the Clutching Hand were watching
for our signal of surrender,
The fact was. as we found out later,
that in a poorly furnished room, much
after the fashion of that which, with
the help OF the authorities, we had
once raided in the suburbs. there were
at that moment two crooks
One of them was the famous, or
rather infamous. Professor LeCroix.
The other was the young secretary of
the Clutching Hand.
This was the new headquarters OF
the master criminal, very carefully
guarded
Look" cried LeCroix, very much
excited by the effect that had been
produced by his infra-red rays. There
is the sign-the vase Of flowers. We
have got him this time"
LeCroix gleefully patted a peculiar
instrument beside him. Apparently
| 1t was a combination of powerful cleo
trio arcs, the rays of which were shot
through a funnellike arrangement
into a converted or, rather, sort OF
concentration apparatus from which
the dread power could be released
| through a tubelike affair at the end.
It was his infra-red heat wave, Fray,
engine.
Il told you it would work" cried
LeCroix.
I did not argue any further with
Craig about his sudden resolution to
go away But it is very solemn pro-
ceeding to pack up and admit defeat
after such a brilliant succession OF
cases as had been his until we met
this master criminal.
He was unshakable, however, and
the next morning we closed the
laboratory and loaded our baggage
into a taxicab
Neither of us said much, but saw
a quick look of appreciation on Craig
face as we pulled up at the wharf
and saw that Elaine's car was already
there. He seemed deeply moved that
Elaine should come at such an early
hour to have a last word.
Our car stopped, and Kennedy
moved over toward her car. direct
ing two porters, whom | noticed that
he chose with care, to wait at one
side. One of them was an lrlshman
with a slight limp; the other wiry
Frenchman with a pointed beard.
In spite of her pleadings, however,
Kennedy held to his purpose, and as
we shook hands FOR the last time |
thought that Elaine would almost
break down.
We finally tore ourselves away
followed by the porters carrying as
much as they could.
Bon voyage!' called Elaine, brave
" keeping back choke in her voice,
Near the gangplank in the crowd !
noticed a couple OF sinister faces
watching the ships officers and the
passengers going aboard Kennedys
quick eve spotted them, too, bIt ne