The Monticellonian., 1915-07-22
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 obseured by the fear that Wu might wreak some diabolical vengeance on Elaine.
 Nor were Kennedy's fears unfounded. Wu 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 Wu, the tireless, was seated at a table at the other end of the room. At last Wu 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 back room.
 On couch lay Elaine, and with her, as guardian, was Weepy Mary.
 As Wu, the Serpent, entered and advanced slowly toward Elaine, she crouched back from him in deadly fear.
 Slowly he drew from under his robe the Chinese dirk. He felt the edge of it again and gazed significantly at Elaine.
 It was a critical moment.
 Just then Long Sin entered One of the five millions waits outside" he reported simply, with bow.
 Wu understood It had been a pleas ant fiction of his that although he did not. of course, absolutely control such 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 ment before, a knock at the door had disturbed Long Sin, and a Chinese servant had announced visitor Long Sin had waved to the servant to usher him in. and a poorly clad ceolie 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 Wu through the door of the back room.
 So, almost by chance, Wu was inter rupted in the brutal vengeance which had first come to his mind He sheathed the knife and, still without giving nod to Weepy Mary to guard Elaine closely
 Wu eyed the coolie until the new conner could almost feel the master 8 penetrating gaze, although his head was bowed in awe. Quickly the coolie 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 Wu.
 The coolie started to open the pack age, removed the paper wrapper, and then a silk wrapping inside, Finally he came to box. from which he drew a leather pouch, each operation con ducted with greater care as it became evident that the contents were espe cially precious in some way. Then he took from the pouch a small vial
 What is it?" demanded Wu Fang as the coolie displayed it.
 The coolie draw forth now a magni flying glass and glass slide. Opening the vial with great care he shook something out on the slide, then placed it under the lens.
 Look" he said simply.
 Wu bent over and looked. Under the lens what had formerly seemed to be merely a black speek of dirt be came now one of the most weird and uncanny little creatures to be found in all the realm of nature. It seemed to be all legs and feelers moving at once A normal person would have looked at the creature only with the greatest repugnance. Wu regarded 1t with a sort of unholy fascination.
 And it is?" he queried.
 ''What the white man calls the Afri can tick which carries the recurrent fever" answered the coolie deferen tially.
 A flash of intense exultation seemed to darken Wu Fang's sinister face.
 s'Wait,s he said to the coolie, as he
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