The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-08-19

y note OF some KIM tHdt ne
dropped replied Craig. passing over
to me the paper he had picked up.
read in English:
See what he is doing and report to
me in the basement below 1t6 Mott
street"
Beneath the few words, evidently
orders. was that mystic sign of the
serpent--the mark OF the arch-crim-
inal, Wa Fang
It's a clue. Craig" | exclaimed
For a moment Craig said nothing,
as ne turned to go back into the
laboratory. For some time he con
tinued to study the note, as though
revolving something in his mind
Whatever it is" he remarked ut
length, I'm going to look into it.
anyhow While I'm gone. Walter, l
wish you'd Just so around and see If
Elaine is all right"
At last Kennedy sauntered in cas-
ually to the hop joint on Mott street,
his collar still up and his hat still
over his eyes
He lounged across the floor among
the smokers and picked out a bunk.
while Hop Sing. the proprietor,
brought him a pipe. Kennedy pretend
ed to light it, but In reality did not.
In the back room. by this time. irez
had completed her disguise by placing
on her head the wig and had given
the little finishing touches to her
makeup WI was giving final instruc-
tons to Long Sin and the rest, and
the four Cinnamon ranged themselves
in groups OF two on either side of the
door
Finally WI paused AID whispered
something to Inez Then both he and
Long Sin seized two glass globes that
stood on the table They raised them
high over their heads and smashed
them on the floor. at the same time
stamping their feet terriflcally. Inez
screamed as II a murder were being
committed.
Outside in the den Kennedy heard
the scream and the crashing of glass.
muf1led by the door He straightened
up in his bunk. now all attention
Was it some white woman calling
for help In this sinkhole Of iniquity?
The door flew open. Sure enough. n
woman appeared, still screaming.
1t was only for an instant and she
did not even get across the threshold
With lew cultural exclamation.
Long Sin pulled her back into the
room and slammed II, ter she mad
opened.
1t was all done so quickly that Ken
nedy could catch only the most fleet
ing glimpse OF her clothes and face.
But that glimpse was enough
1t was-apparently- Elaine,
Craig sprang UP instantly drawing
his revolver. and threw himself
against the door. recollecting tho
warning message that had come
through the mail.
The door yielded and he rushed
through In an instant the four
Cinnamon CrouchnE on either side
leaped on him.
The struggle was terrific He
doWned two and seemed in fair way
- win against even such odds, when
the disguised Inez turned. with u
hooking laugh pulling of both the
hat and Wig
KeuAedy's ama2ement gave the
Cinnamon chance. Before he real
lied ii in his complete surprise, he
was forced back or the post and held
there just long enough for Long Sin
to wind rope around him, binding
his arms legs and body to the post
Then WI Fang walked over before
him and faced MIN.
Come over here. my dear" he
called to IneG Let mo introduce
Prof Craig Kennedy to you-Innocent
Inez
by the way, he went on to 1ne7
how did you leave the real Elaine
Inez looked at her watch. She is
rocked in her attic, she replied with
evident enjoyment THE house will
start to burn by spontaneous combus-
ton in exactly twenty minutes"
Upstairs In the attic OF tho Dodge
house Elaine, in the queer chair. WAS
Just recovering a BIT from the effects
of the vapor.
Still as the minutes heightened she
hegan to breathe more regularly as
the Supplying effects OF the vapor
wore on and was just beginning 10
move her head in the first unconscious
endeavors to grasp ut consciousness.
II must have been Just at this point
that. following Kennody's instructions.
| arrived Mt Elaine's house
As jennings led me into the library
was met by Aunt Josephine
Craig has gone on on n clue" |
explained. and has asked me to drop
in TO see how things are. Is Elaine all
right"
"Why l haven't seen her for an hour
or more" answered Aunt Josephine,
Il think she must have gone out
Won't you sit down."
There was nothing else 10 do on