The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-04-16
TWELFTH EPISODE
THE BLOOD CRYSTALS.

"on your right is the residence of
Miss Elaine Dodge, who is pursuing
the famous master criminal known as
the Clutching Hand"
The barker had been grandiloquent-
ly pointing out the residences Of noted
New Workers as the big sightseeing
car numbered along through the
streets.
No one had paid any attention to
the unobtrusive Chinaman who sat in |,
conspicuously in the middle of the car,
He was Mr.. Wong Long Sin, but no
one saw anything particularly mys-
FERROUS about an Oriental visitor, more
or less, viewing New York city.
Wong was of the mandarin type,
with long, dropping mustache, well
dressed in American clothes, and con-
forming to the new customs of an DC
cidentalized China.
Anyone, however, who had been
watching Long Sin would have seen
that he showed much interest when
ever any of the wealthy residents OF
the city were mentioned. The name
of Elaine Dodge seemed particularly
to strike him. He listened with subtle
interest to what the barker said and
looked keenly at the Dodge house.
The sightseeing car had passed the
house, when he rose slowly and mo-
toned that he wanted to be let off.
The car stopped, he alighted and SLOW
ly rambled away, evidently marveling
greatly at the strange customs OF these
uncouth Westerners.
Elaine was going out when she met
Perry Bennett almost on the steps OF
the house.
1--WE brought you the watch" re-
marked Bennett. Thought I'd like to
give it to you myself"
He displayed the watch which ne
himself had bought couple of days
before for her birthday. He had called
for it himself at the jewelers., where it
had now been regulated.
"Oh, thank you," exclaimed Elaine,
Wont you come in?"
They had scarcely greeted each other
when Long Sin strolled along. Neither
of them, however, had time to notice
the quiet Chinaman who passed the
house, looking at Elaine sharply out of
the corner Of his eye They entered
and Wong disappeared down the
street.
isn't it beauty?" cried Elaine.
holding it out from her as they entered
the library, and examining it with
great appreciation. "And, oh, do you
know, the strangest thing happened
yesterday! Sometimes Mr.. Kennedy
acts too queerly for anything"
She related how Craig had burst In
on her and Aunt Josephine and had
almost torn the other watch off hei
wrist.
Another watch?" repeated Bennett
amazed ut must have been mis-
take. Kennedy is crazy"
Il don't understand it, myself" muir
INJURED Elaine
Long Sin was revolving some darl
and devious plan beneath his impas
sive Oriental countenance. He was NJ
ordinary parsonage In fact, he wal
astute enough to have no record. H'
left that to his tools.
This remarkable criminal had estab
lished himself In q hired apartment
down town.
Long Sin, now in rich Oriental cos
tune, was reclining on divan smoS
ing strengthening pipe and playfnI
with two pet white rats, Each white ra
had gold band around his leg, t
which was connected gold chail
about a foot in length, and the chain
ended in rings which were slippe
over Wongs little fingers. Ordinaril
he carried the pets up the capaciou
sleeve of each arm.
A little Chinese girl, also in nativ
costume, entered and bowed deferer
TALLY.
"A Miss Mary Carson" she lisped j
soft English.
Let the lady enter" waved Lon
Sin, with a smile subtle satisfaction
The girl bowed sgain and silent
left the room, retui ing with han'
some, very well-dE i ID white womal
1t would be Difficult. to analyze jus
what the fascination was that Lon
Sin exercised over Mary Carson. B,
as the servant left the room, Mar
bowed almost as deferentially as II
little Chinese girl Wong merely no
ded in reply.
After moment he slowly rose an
took from drawer newspaper eli
ping. Without q word he handed It