The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-19
FOURTEENTH EPISODE
THE RECKONING.

fE hECNONiN1.
Pacing up and down his den in the
heart OF Chinatown. Long Sin was
thinking over his bargain with Ken.
nedy to betray the infamous Clutch.
ing Hand.
At length he seated himself on a
teakwood table still celebrating over
the promise he had been forced to
make TO Kennedy.
Suddenly an idea seemed TO strike
him. Lifting a little hammer. he
struck a Chinese gong on the table
ar his side. At the same time he
leaned over and turned the knob at the
side of large roll-top desk.
A few seconds later a sort OF hatch.
way, covered by a rug on the floor in
one corner of the room. was slowly
lifted and Long Sins secretary, pale.
cadaverous Chinaman. appeared from
below. He stepped noiselessly into
the room and shuffled across TO Long
Sin and handed him letter.
Long Sin scowled as though some
thing had interfered with his own
plans. but tore open the envelope with
out a word. spreading out on his lap
the sheet Of paper II contained.
The letter was a typewriter mes
sage all in capitals, which read:
BE AT HEADQUARTERS AT 70.
DESTROY THIS IMMEDIATELY"
A . hAf ,s h.,
the sinister signature of the Clutching
Hand
Bowing low again, the secretary
shuffied across and down again
through the hatchway. closing the
door as he descended.
Long Sin read the note once more,
while his inscrutable face assumed al
expression of malicious cunning.
With an air OF deliberation he
reached for a match and struck il
He had placed the paper in the fame
when suddenly he seemed to change
his mind. He hastily blew out the
match. which had destroyed only a
corner OF the paper, then folded the
note carefully and placed it in his
pocket
A few moments later. with a malig
nant chuckle, Long Sin rose slowly
and left the room.
Meanwhile the master criminal was
busily engaged in putting the finishing
touches TO a final scheme OF fiendish
ingenuity for the absolute destruc.
tion of craig Kennedy.
He had been at work in a small
room fitting up sort of laboratory
in the mysterious house which now
served as his headquarters.
Clutching Hand. at bench in one
corner. had Just completed an internal
machine OF diabolical cunning, and
was wrapping it carefully in paper to
make an innocent package.
He was interrupted by a knock at
the door. Laying down the bomb he
went to answer the summons with
stealthy movement There stood Long
Sin, who had disguised himself as
Chinese laundryman.
"On time-good." growled Clutch
ing Hand surlily as he closed the door
with equal care.
No time was wasted in useless for.
malities.
This is bomb" he went on, point
ing to the package. Garry it care
fully. On no account let it slip. or
you are a dead man. II must be in
Kennedy's laboratory before night
Understand? Can you arrange it,"
Long Sin glanced at the dangerous
package, then with an expressive look,
replied, Have no fear. l can do it.
Ii will be in the laboratory within an
hour. Trust me"
In Kennedy's laboratory was watch.
Ing Craig make some experiments
with new X-ray apparatus.
We were oblivious to the passage of
time, and only a call over our speak
Ing tube diverted our attention.
! opened the door and few seconds
later Long Sin himself entered.
Kennedy looked up inquiringly as
the Chinaman approached, holding out
, package which he carried.
"A bomb" he said, in the most mat
way. Il promised to have
1t placed In your laboratory before
night"
Kennedy took the bomb and care
fully placed it under the wonderful
rays. then with the Horoscope over his
eyes studied the shadow cast by the
rays on its sensitive screen.
It's bomb, sure enough" Craig
exclaimed. looking up from it at last
to me. It's timed by an ingenious