The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-20


agely at Long Sin.
81 possess hidden plunder worth
seven million dollars" he pleaded
quickly, "and IL by your aid can make
. getaway, a seventh is yours"
The Chinaman's cupidity was clear.
ly excited by Benefits offer, while the
bare mention of the amount at stake
was sufficient to overcome all his
scruples.
After exchanging a few words he
finally agreed to aid the Clutching
Hand. Opening trap door in the
standing, he led Bennett down a step
ladder into the subterranean chamber
in which Tong Wah had so recently
been preparing his mysterious potion.
AS Bennett sank into a chair and
passed his hands over his brow in
cup some of the liquor of death
which Tong Wah had mixed. He hand
ed 1t to Bennett, who drank 1t eagerly
How do you propose to help me to
escape?" asked Bennett huskily
Without word Long Sin went to
the wall, and, grasping one of the
stones. pressed it back. opening a
large receptacle, in which there were
two glass coffins apparently contain,
ing two dead Cinnamon. Pulling out
the coffins, he pushed them before
Bennett, who rose to his feet and
Long Sin broke the silence: These
men," he said, "are not dead; but they
have been in this condition for many
months. 1t is what is called in your
language suspended animation"
'Is that what you intend to do with
me?" asked Bennett. shrinking back in
terror.
The Chinaman nodded in affirmation
as he pushed back the collins.
Overcome by the horror of the idea
Bennett, with groan, sank back into
the chair, shaking his head as II to In.
dicate that the plan was far too ter.
/ rible to carry out.
With sinister smile and shrug of
his shoulders Long Sin pointed to the
cup from which Bennett had drank.
But, dear master" he remarked
suavely, you have already drank a
full dose of the potion which causes
insensibility, and it is overcoming you.
Even now," he added, you are too
weak to rise"
With malicious chuckle Long Sin
I nln fn vi nd 70
again.
"Divulge where your seven million
dollars are hidden" he suggested
craftily, "and l will give you an anti.
dote."
By this time Bennett, who was be-
coming more rigid each moment, was
unable to speak.
Slowly, and after a desperate strug-
/ gle, he managed to raise one hand
and pointed to his breast pocket.
/ The Chinaman instantly thrust in his
| hand and drew out map.
! For some moments Long Sin exam.
/ ined the map intently, and, with grin
of satisfaction, he placed it in his own
/ pocket. Then he mixed what he de.
clared was a sure antidote, and, pour.
ing some of the liquor into a cup, he
held it to Benefits lips.
! AS Bennett opened his mouth to
drink it, Long Sin with a laugh slowly
l pulled the cup away and poured its
/ contents on the floor.
| By this time | was slowly recovering
my senses in the secretary's office,
where Bennett had left me in the dis.
guise of the Clutching Hand Elaine
! the secretary and the clerks were
gathered around me, doing all they
could to revive me.
Meanwhile Kennedy had enlisted
the aid of two detectives and was
securing the city for a trace of Ben.
nett or the taxicab in which he had
fed.
Somehow, Kennedy suspected, in.
stinctively. that Long Sin might give
clue to Benefits whereabouts, and
a few moments later we were all on
our way in car to Long Sins house
Though we did not know it, Long
Sin, at the moment when Kennedy
knoc ked at his door, was feeling in his
inside pocket to see that the map he
had taken from Bennett was perfectly
safe. Finding that he had it, he smiled
with his peculiar oriental guile. Then
he opened the door and stood for a
moment, silent.
Where is Bennett?" demanded Ken
nedy.
Long Sin eyed us ALL then, with a
placid smile, said, Follow me. l will
show you"
There was Bennett seated rigidly In
the chair beside the table, from which
the Walls and cups. about which we
knew nothing, had been removed.
How did it happen?" asked Ken
nedy.
HE came here" replied Long Sin
with wave of his hand, "and before |
could stop him he did away with him
self"
We'll, we've got him." mused Ken
>nedy, shaking his head sadly, adding
after pause, but he is dead"
Elaine, who had followed us down
covered her eyes with her hands and
was sobbing convulsively. l thought
she would faint, but Kennedy led heI
gently away into an upper room.
AS he placed her in an easy chair
he bent over her, soothingly.
Did you-did you-really--love
him." he asked in low tone.