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

included. to kingdom come
As he spoke, and before could re-
monstrate with him. he took the in.
fernal machine and placed it on q
table where he set to work on the
most delicate and dangerous piece Of
dissection of which have ever heard.
Carefully unwrapping the bomb and
unscrewing one part while he held an
other firm, he finally took out of 1t q
bottle of liquid and some powder
Then he placed a few grains of the
powder on dish and dropped on il a
drop or two of the liquid. There was
a bright flash as the powder ignited
instantly.
Just what expected" commented
Kennedy with nod. as he examined
the clever workmanship of the bomb.
One thing that interested him was
that part of the contents had been
wrapped in paper to keep them in
place. This paper he was now care
fully examining with microscope.
As nearly as / could make it out. the
paper contained part of a typewrit
ten cremical formula, which read:
TlNcTURE OF IODINE
THREE PARTS Of
He looked up from his study Of the
microscope to Long Sin.
Tell me Just how it happened that
YOU got this bomb" he asked
Without hesitation the Chinaman re
cited the circumstances. beginning
with the note by which he had been
summoned
"A notes" repeated Kennedy, ca
gerly. Was it typewritten?"
Long Sin reached into his pocket
and produced the note itself. which he
had not burned.
AS Craig studied the typewriter
message from the Clutching Hand ]
could see that he was growing more
and more excited.
AT last he has given US something
typewriter" he exclaimed ITO most
people, l suppose. il seems that type
writing is the best way to conceal
identity. But there are a thousand
and one ways of identifying typewrit.
ing.
Look. Walter" he remarked at
length, taking a fine tipped pencil and
pointing at the distinguishing marks
as he talked. You will notice that
all the T's' in this note are bat.
tered and faint as we'll as Just a trife
out Of alignment. Now l will place the
paper from the bomb under the micro
scope and you will see that the 'T's'
in the scrap OF formula have exactly
the same appearance"
l strained my eyes to look. Sure
enough. Kennedy was right. There
was that unmistakable identity be-
tween the rs in the formula and the
note.
Kennedy had been gazing at the
floor, his face puckered in thought as
I looked. Suddenly he clapped his
hands together, as if he had made a
great discovery.
I've struck IT." he exclaimed. Jump
ing up. 4 was wondering where
had seen tvnewriting that reminds me
OF this. Walter, get on your coat
and hat. We are on the right trail at
last"
With Long Sin We hurried out of
the laboratory. leaving him at the
nearest taxicab stand. where we
jumped into a waiting car.
ut is the clue OF the battered 'T's.'"
Craig muttered
Aunt Josephine was in the library
knitting when the butler, Jennings, an.
nounced us.
Where is-Miss Dodge?" inquired
Kennedy, with suppressed excitement
as we entered
'I think she's out shopping, and l
don't know Just when she will be
back" answered Aunt Josephine. with
some surprise. Why Is 1t anything
important-any news?"
Very important" returned Kennedy
excitedly. 81 think have the best
clue yet Only-it will be necessary
to look through some of the household
correspondence Immediately to see
whether there are certain letters. I
wouldn't be surprised IL she had some
perhaps not very personal-but
must see them"
Kennedy lost no time He went to
a desk where Elaine generally sat,
and quickly took out several type
written letters. One after another he
examined them closely. rejecting one
after another. until finally he came
to one that seemed to interest him.
He separated 1t from the rest and
fell to studying 1t, comparing 1t with
the paper from the bomb and the
note which Long Sin had received
from the Clutching Hand. Then he
folded the letter so that the sigma
ture and the address could not be
read by US.
A portion Of the letter I recall read
something like this:
"This ls his contention: Whereas,
TRUTH Is the only goal and MATTER
10 non-exlstent-"
Look at this. Walter" remarked
Craig, with difficulty restraining him.
self. What do you make of it?"
A glance at the typewriting was suf-
nctent to show me that Kennedy had,
indeed. made an important discovery.
We stared at each other almost too
dazed to speak.