Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-06-04
NINTH EPISODE
THE DEATH RAY.

Kennedy was reading a scientific
treatise one morning, while l was
banging on the typewriter, when a
knock at the laboratory door disturbed
us.
By some intuition Craig seemed to
know who it was. He sprang to open
the door, and there stood Elaine
Dodge and her lawyer, Perry Bennett.
Instantly Craig read from the
startled look on Elaine's face that
something dreadful had happened.
"Why - what's the matter?" he
asked, soIicitously.
"A--another letter-from the Clutch
ing Hand" she exclaimed breath
lessly
Craig took the letter and we both
read, with amazement:
Are you an enemy of society? IF not,
order Craig Kennedy to leave the country
by nine o'clock tomorrow morning. 9th
erwise pedestrian will drop dead outside
his laboratory every hour until he leaves.
The note was signed by the now ia
miliar sinister hand, and had added
10 it a postscript which read:
AS a token of his leaving, have him
place vase of flowers in his laboratory
window today.
What shall we do?" queried Ben
nett, evidently very much alarmed
at the letter.
6Do 90 rorIiod Toppo5,- 1ouobirc
contemptuously at the apparently fu-
tile threat, why, nothing Just
wait"
We got up as usual the next day,
and quite early went over to the labo-
ratory. Kennedy, as was his CUSTOM
plunged straightway into his work
and appeared absorbed by it, while
wrote.
There is something queer going
on, Walter" he remarked. This
thing registers some kind of wireless
rays-infra-red, think-something
like those that they say that Italian
scientist, Ulivi, claims he has discov-
cred and called the Trays"
"How do you know" I asked, look
ing up from my work. Whats that
instrument you are using?"
"a bolometer, invented by the late
Professor Langley" he replied. his
attention riveted on it.
Some time previously Kennedy had
, had installed on the window ledge one
of those mirrorlike arrangements,
known as a "busybody," which show
those in a room what is going on in
the street.
AS l moved over to look at the
bolometer l happened to glance into
the "busybody" and saw that a crowd
was rapidly collecting on the side
walk.
Look, Craig" / called hastily.
He hurried over to me and looked.
We could both see in the busybody
mirror a group of excited passers-by
bending over a man lying PROSTATE on
the sidewalk.
The excited crowd lifted him up and
bore him away, and l turned in sur
prise to Craig. He was looking at his
watch.
1t was now only few moments past
nine o'clock!
Some time later our door was ex-
citedly flung open and Elaine and
Perry Bennett arrived
1--WE just heard Of the accident"
she cried, fearfully isn't it terrible!
What had we hotter do9"
For a few moments no one said a
word. Then Kennedy began carefully
examining the bolometer and some
other recording instruments he had
while the rest of us watched, fasci
mated.
Somehow that "busybody" seemed
to attract me. / could not resist look
ing into it from time to time as Ken
nedy worked.
I was scarcely able to control my
excitement when again saw the same
scene enacted on the sidewalk before
the laboratory. Hurriedly / looked al
my watch. 1t was ten o'clock!
"Cvaig!" I cried. Another"
instantly he was at my side, gazing
s<seTly. There was a second innocent
pedestrian lying on the sidewalk while
q crowd, almost panic-stricken, gath
cred about lin.
ITS no use," he muttered, as We
gathered about him. Were beaten
can't stand this sort of thing. l will
leave tomorrow 70" South America"
thought Elaine Dodge would fam
at the shock of his words coming Sc
soon after the terrible occurrence out
side. She looked at him speechless.