The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-05-09
FOURTEENTH EPISODE
THE RECKONING.

- THE RECKONING.
Pacing up and down his den IN the
heart of Chinatown, Long Sin was
thinking over his bargain with Ken
redy 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 20
make TO Kennedy.
Suddenly an idea seemed to strike
him. Lifting a little hammer. he
struck a Chinese gong on the table
at 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 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 snufied across to Long
Sin and handed him letter.
Long Sin scowled. as though some
thing had int-rfered with his own
plans. but tore open the envelope with
out a word, spreading out on his lap
the sheet of paper it contained.
The letter was a typewriter mes
sage. all IN cap'-als. which read:
BE AT HEADQUARTERS AT II.
DESTROY THIS IMMEDIATELY"
At tie bottom of the note appeared
the sinister signature OF the Clutching
Hand.
Bowing low again. the secretary
saufied 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 an
expression of malicious cunning.
with an air of de1iberation he
reached for match and struck IT.
re 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
corner Of the paper. then folded the
note carefully and placed it IA his
pocket
few moments later. with malig-
nant chuckle. Long Sin rose slowly
and left the room
Meanwhile the master criminal was
busily engaged in putting the finishing
touches to final scheme of fendfsh,
ingenuity for the absolute destruc-,
ton of Craig Kennedy.
He had been at work IN small
room fitting up sort of laboratory.
In the mysterious house which now
served as his headquarters.
CIutching Hand. at bench in one
corner. had just completed an internal
machine of diaboical cunning, nd
was wrapping It carefully in paper to
make an innocent package.
He was interrupted by knock at
the door. Laying down the bomb he
went to answer tho summons with a
stealthy movement There stood Long
Sin. who had disguised himself as a
Chinese laundryman-
"on time-goodt" growied Clutch
ing Hand surlily as lie closed the door
with equal care.
No time was wasted in useless for
nelittes.
This is a bomb he went on, point
ing to the package Garry it care
July. On no account let it slip. or.
you are a dead man. It must be in
Kennedy's laboratory before night
Understand? Can you arrange it,"
Long Sin glanced at the dangerous
0aCkaKG, Iu6u win al CAP. $50 - @~'-
replied, Have no fear. can do It,
Il Will be in the laboratory within an
hour. Trust me-"
In Kennedy's laboratory was watch
ng Craig make some experiments
Eith a new X-ray apparatus.
We were oblivious to the passage or
lime. and only call over our speak
ng tube diverted our attention
opened the door and few seconds
ater Long Sin himself entered
Kennedy looked up inquirinsly as
he Chinaman approached. holding out
4 package which he carried.
"A bomb he said, in the most mat
:er-of-fact way I promised to have
Il 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
avs ON its sensitive screen
Its a bomb. sure enough. Craig
exclaimed. looking ~ from 1t at last
to me. 'Itse timed by an ingenious