The Elbert County tribune., 1915-06-18
EIGHTEENTH EPISODE
THE VENGEANCE OF wu FANG.


Elaine was still in the power OF Wu
Fang. Kennedy had thwarted the
Chinese master criminal in his search
for the millions amassed by the
Clutching Hand. But any joy that he
might have derived from this success
was completely obscured by the fear
that WI might wreak some diabolical
vengeance on Elaine.
Nor we're Kennedy's fears unfounded
WI and Long Sin had scarcely reach
ed the secret apartment when the
subtle Chinaman began to contem-
plate revenge
Long Sin was smoking Chinese
pipe, resting after their hurried flight.
while WI, the tireless, was seated at
a table at the other end OF the room
AT last WI Fang took up long Chi
nese dirk from the table before him.
looked at it, turned it over. felt it's
edge He rose and deliberately walked
across to door leading into a back
room
On couch lay Elaine, and with her.
as guardian, was Weepy Mary
AS WI, the Serpent, entered and
advanced slowly toward Elaine, she
crouched back from him in deadly
fear.
Slowly he drew from under mis- robe
the Chinese dirk He felt the edge of
it again and gazed significantly at
Elaine
1t was a critical moment.
Just then Long Sin entered. "One
- 49, t.,A A..t l.
reported simply, with a bow.
WI understood 1t had been a pleas
ant fiction of his that although he did
not, of course. absolutely control such
a stupendous organization, he could
by his subtle power, force almost un-
limited allegiance from the simple
coolies in that district of China from
which he came.
Out In the front room, Just a mo-
disturbed Long Sin. and a Chinese
servant had announced visitor. Long
Sin had waved to the servant to usher
him in. and poorly clad coolie had
entered.
He bowed as Long Sin faced him
Where is the master?" he had asked
Long Sin had not deigned to speak
With a mere wave of his hand he in
dicated that he would be the bearer
of the message, and had followed WI
through the door of the back room.
So, almost by chance, WI was inter
rupted in the brutal vengeance which
had first come to his mind. He
sheathed the knife and, still without
word, went back into the main room,
giving a nod to Weepy Mary to guard
Elaine closely.
WI eyed the coolie until the new
conner could almost feel the masters
penetrating gaze, although his head
was bowed in awe. Quickly the coohe
thrust his hand under his blouse and
drew forth a package. With another
bow he advanced.
For your enemies, o master, he
said, handing the package over to
WI.
The coolie started to open the pack
age, removed the paper wrapper, and
then a silk wrapping inside. Finally
he came to a box from which he drew
a leather pouch. each operation con-
QuCLel Will Bftdbti Noi { as -
evident that the contents were espe-
cially precious in some way Then ne
took from the pouch a small vial
What is it?" demanded WI Fang
as the coolie displayed it.
The coolie draw forth now magni-
fying glass and glass slide. Opening
the vial with great care he SHOOK
something out en- the slide, then
placed it under the lens.
Look" he said simply.
WI bent over and looked. under
the lens what had formerly seemed 10
be merely a black speck OF dirt oe-
came now one of the most weird ana
unoanny little creatures to be found In
all the realm of nature. 1t seemed 10
he al, legs and feelers moving at once.
A normal person would have looked
at the creature only with the greatest
repugnance. WI regarded 1t with d
sort of unholy fascination.
"And 1t is?" he queried.
.WAat the white man calls the airi-
oan tick which carries the recurren'
fever" answered the cooiie deieren-
TALLY. .,. saaned
.. darten WI Fang's sinister face.
.rW.it" he said TO the coolie' as ne