The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-15


inum-asbestos mirror, which was
something of his own invention. He
held 1t up, and in pantomime showed
me just how 1t would cut of the dead
ly rays.
He had not finished even that, when
a peculiar noise in the laboratory It.
self disturbed him, and he hastily
thrust the asbestos-platinum shield
into his pocket.
Though we had not realized 1t, our
return had been anticipated.
Suddenly from closet projected q
magazine gun, and before We could
move Clutching Hand himself slowly
appeared behind us.
We started to our feet, but In an
instant found ourselves sprawling on
the floor
In the cabinet, beneath the labora-
tory table, another crook had been
hidden, and he tackled us with all
the skill of an old football player,
against whom we had no defense.
Four Of them were upon us in
stantly.
At the same time Thomas, the faith
less valet Of Bennett, had been dis
patched by the Clutching Hand to
commander his masters roadster in
his absence, and, carrying out the in
structions, he had driven up before
Elaine's house at the very moment
when she was going out for walk
Thomas jumped out of the car and
touched his hat deferentially.
"A message from Mr.. Bennett,
ma'am,y he explained "Mr. Kennedy
and Mr.. Bennett have sent me to ask
you to come over to the laboratory"
Unsuspectingly, Elaine stepped into
the car and drove off.
Instead, however, of turning and
pulling up on the laboratory side of
the street, Thomas stopped opposite
it. He got out and Elaine, thinking
that perhaps it was to save time
that he had not turned the car around,
followed.
The door was opened quickly by q
lookout of the Clutching Hand and the
valet asked IL Craig and Elaine's law
yer were in. or course, the lookout
replied that they were, and before
Elaine knew 1t she was jostled into
the dark hallway.
And as the door slammed she caught
sight of the fearsome Clutching Hand
himself
She drew back, but was too fright
ened even to scream
With harsh, cruel laugh, the super
criminal beckoned to her to follow
him and look down through small
trapdoor
- Unable. now to resist, she did so.
There she saw us. To that extent
the valet had told the truth. Ken
nedy was standing in deep thought,
while I sat on an old box. smoking a
cigarette-very miserable.
Watching his chance, when the
street was deserted, the Clutching
Hand and his followers had hustled
us over to the new hangout from the
laboratory. There they had met more
crooks and had thrust us into this vile
hole.
AS the various Intellectual schemes
for escape surged through my head,
happened to look up and caught
glance of horror on Craig's face.
followed his eyes. There, above us,
was Elaine!
saw her look from us to the Clutch
ing Hand in terror But none of US
uttered a word
Il will now show you, my dear
young lady" almost Missed the Clutch.
ing Hand at length, "as pretty game
of hide and seek as you have ever
seen"
AS he said it another trapdoor near
the infra-red ray machine was opened
and a beam of light burst through. /
knew 1t was not that which we had to
fear, but the invisible rays that &C.
it. the rays that had af.
fected the bolometer.
Just then a spot OF light showed
near my foot, moving about the ce-
nent floor until it fell on my shoe. In
stantly the leather charred, even be.
'ore | could move.
Kennedy and l leaped to our feet
md drew back. The beam followed
Is. We reteated further Still 1t fol.
owed, inexorably.
Clutching Hand was now holding
Elaine near the door where she could
lot help seeing, laughing diabolically
while he directed LeCroix and the rest
o work the infra-red ray apparatus
through the trap.
AS we lodged from corner to corner,
'ndeavoring to keep the red ray from
ouching us, the crooks seemed in no
hurry, but rather to enjoy prolonging
he torture, as does a cat with a
mousse
"Please-oh, please-stop!" begged
elaine.
Clutching Hand only laughed with
lendish delight and urged his men on.
The thing was getting closer and |
loser.
Suddenly we heard strange voice
ing out above US.
"Police!"
"Where?" growled the Clutching
land in fury.
"Outside--a raid! Run! He's told
iem!"
Already we could hear the ham,
iers and axes of the police whom
.annedy had called unnn hafnre az