The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-04-07
INERA.REp Ray NorEs.

lnents of the Italian scientist. Ulivi. causes.
when concentrated by an apparatus per-
bustion. of non-rehecting surfaces. 1t is
particularly deadly in its effect on the
brain centers.
by shield composed of platinum backed
by asbestos.
Next Kennedy opened the case
which he had taken out of the cab
met, and from it he took out a plat
inum-asbestos mirror, which was
something of his own invention. He
held it up, and in pantomime showed
me just how it would cut off 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 it, our
return had been anticipated.
Suddenly from a closet projected a
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
oF
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 a
lookout of the Clutching Hand and the
valet asked if Craig and Elaine's law,
yer were in. OF course, the lookout
replied that they were, and before
Elaine knew it 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 a harsh. cruel laugh, the super
criminal beckoned to her to follow
him and look down through a small
trapdoor
Unable now to resist, she did so.
There she saw us. To that extern
the valet had told the truth. Ken
nedy was standing in deep thought
while L sat on an old box. smoking ;
cigarette-very miserable.
Watching his chance, when tn,
street was deserted, the Clutchin!
Hand and his followers had hustle,
US over to the new hangout from tn,
laboratory. There they had met NOR,
crooks and had thrust us into this viii
hole.
AS the various Intellectual scheme
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!
ing Hand in terror. But none of u
uttered a word.
Il will now show you, my dea
young lady" almost Kissed the Clutch
ing Hand at length, las pretty a gam
of hide and seek as you have eve
seen"
AS he said it another trapdoor nea
the infra-red ray machine was openeu
and a beam of light burst through.
knew it was not that which we had Il
fear. but the invisible rays that &C
companied it, the rays that had al
fected the bolometer.
Just then a spot of light shove,
near my foot, moving about the &C
ment floor until it fell on my shoe. In
| stantly the leather charred, even be
fore l could move.
Kennedy and I leaped to our fee
and drew back. The beam followe,
us. We reteated further. Still it TO
lowed, inexorably.
Clutching Hand was now holding
Elaine near the door where she coul
not help seeing, laughing diabolicall
while he directed LeCroiX and the res
to work the infra-red ray apparatu
through the trap.
AS we lodged from corner to corner
endeavoring to keep the red ray froI
touching US, the crooks seemed in n
hurry, but rather to enjoy prolongin
the torture, as does a cat with
mouse.
"Please-oh, please-stop!" begge
Elaine
Clutching Hand only laughed wit
fiendish delight and urged his men or
The thing was getting closer an
closer.
Suddenly we heard a strange voic
ring out above US.
'Police!"
'Where?" growled the Clutchin
Hand in fury.
"outside-a raid! Run! He's toll
chemI"
Already we could hear the ham
mers and axes of the police whom
Kennedy had called upon before, a
they battered at this outside door.
At that door a moment before tn
lookout suddenly had given startle
i stare and q snnnrassed CRY. Glancin