The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-15
CONTINUED

the house some way"
Kennedy lost no time in confirm
ing the suspicious OF his bolometer as
to the cause of the death of the In
nocent victims Of the Vaccinations of
the CIutching Hand.
Both of them, he had learned, had
been removed to = nearby undertake
ing shop, awaiting the verdict of the
coroner. We sought out the shop
and prevailed on the undertaken to
let US see the bodies.
AS Kennedy pulled down the shroud
from the face or the first victim he
disclosed on his forehead . round,
dark spot about the size of small
coin. Quickly he moved to the next
comm and, uncovering the face. dis
closed a similar mark.
What is it?" asked, awe-struck..
Why he said, 'Ive heard Of a cer-
tain Viennese, one LeCroix, believe,
who has discovered, or perfected, an
infra-red ray instrument which shoots
It's power a great distance with ex-
treme accuracy and leaves mark
like these"
We thanked the undertaken for his
courtesy and went out.
Meanwhile Elaine had called up Per
ry Bennett.
"Mr. Bennett" she exclaimed over
the wire, "just guess who called on
me?"
Who" he answered; "T give 1t up"
"Mr. Kennedy and Mr.. Jameson"
she called back.
els that so?" he returned. isn't
that fine? didn't think he was the
kind to run away like that. How did
1t happen7"
Elaine quickly told the story as
had told her.
Had she known 1t, however, Benefits
valet. Thomas. was at that very mo-
ment listening at the portieres, In
tensely interested.
AS Bennett hung up the receiver
Thomas entered the room.
"If anyone calls me-" ordered Ben
nett, take the message, particularly
II 1t Is from Miss Dodge"
Yes, sir" nodded the valet with
covert glance at his master.
1t was not long afterward that q
knock sounded at the door of the new
headquarters of the Clutching Hand.
LeCroix and the secretary were there,
as we'll as couple of others.
THE Chief" exclaimed one.
The secretary opened the door,
and, sure enough. the CIutching Hand
entered
There came another knock This
time, as the door opened, 1t was
Thomas, BENEFITS faithless valet, who
entered.
Say" blurted out the informer, do
you know Kennedy and Jameson are
back?"
Back" cried the crooks.
"Yes - they didn't go. Changed
clothes with the porters. Just heard
Miss Dodge telling Mr.. Bennett"
Clutching Hand eyed him keenly,
then seemed to burst into an ungov-
ernable fury.
Quickly he began volleying orders
at the valet and the others. Then,
with the secretary and two of the
other crooks he left by another door
from that by which he had sent the
valet
Leaving the undertakers, Kennedy
and | made our way, keeping off
thoroughfares to police headquarters,
where, after making ourselves known,
Craig made arrangements for a raid
on the house across the street from
the laboratory where he had seen the
opera glass reflection.
Then, as secretly as we had come,
we went out again, letting ourselves
into the laboratory. stealthily looking
up and down the street We entered
by basement door, which Kennedy
carefully locked again.
No sooner had we disappeared than
one of the Clutching Hands spies,
who had been watching behind a bar
rel of rubbish, gave the signal of the
hand down the street to q confeder-
ate, and, going to the door. entered by
means Of skeleton key.
We entered our laboratory which
Kennedy had closed the day before.
With shades drawn 1t now looked de-
serted enough.
Kennedy went over to cabinet.
and from it took out a notebook and
a small box, Opening the notebook on
the laboratory table, he rapidly turned
the pages.
Here, Walter" he remarked. This
will answer your question about the
mysterious deadly ray"
/ moved over to the table, eager to
satisfy my curiosity and read the
notes which he indicated with his
finger.
iNFRA-RED RAY NOTES.
The pure infra-red ray which has been |
developed by LeCroix from the experi- |
ments OF the italian scientist. Ulivi, causes, |
when concentrated by an apparatus per- |
fected by LeCroix, an instantaneous COM |
bustion of non-refiecting surfaces. 1t is |
deadly in its effect on the |
brain centers.
It can be diverted, 1t is said, however.
by shield composed of platinum backed
by asbestos.
Next Kennedy opened the case
which he had taken out of the cab.
met, and from 1t he took out plat
m