The Monticellonian., 1915-05-20
NINTH EPISODE
THE DEATH RAY.

Kennedy was reading a scientific treatise one morning. while I was banging on the typewriter. when 2 knock at the laboratory door disturbed us.
 By some intuition Craig seemed tc know who 1t was. He sprang to open the door. and there stood Elaine Dodge and her lawyer, Perry Bennett
 Instantly Craig read from the startled look on Elaine's face that something dreadful had happened.
 Why = what's the matter?' he asked, solicitously.
 "A-another letter-from the Clutch ing Hand!" she exclaimed breath lessly.
 Craig took the letter and we both read, with amazement:
 Are you an enemy of society? If not order Craig Kennedy 10 leave the country by nine o'clock tomorrow morning. 9th erwise a pedestrian will drop dead outside his laboratory every hour until he leaves
 The note was signed b. the now ia miliar sinister hand. and had added to it a postscript which read:
 As token of his leaving have him place a vase of flowers in his laboratory window today.
 What shall we do?' queried Ben nett, evidently very much alarmed at the letter.
 .Do?" replied Kennedy. laughing contemptuously at the apparently flu. tile threat. .'Why. nothing. Just wait"
 We got up as usual the next day, and quite early went over to the labo- ratory. Kennedy. as was his custom, plunged straightway into his work and appeared absorbed by it, while 1 wrote.
 There is something queer going on. Walter" he remarked This thing registers some kind of wireless rays-infra-red. I something like those that they say that Italian scientist, Ulivi, claims he has discov- cred and called the 'F-rays.'
 How do you knew?" asked, look ing up from my work. Whats that instrument you are using?"
 "A bolometer. invented by the late Professor Langley" he replied, his attention riveted on it.
 Some time previously Kennedy had had installed on the window ledge one of those mirrorlike arrangements. known as a "busybody," which show those in a room what is going on in the street.
 As 1 moved over to look at the bolometer I happened to glance into the "busybody" and saw that a crowd was rapidly collecting on the side walk.
 Look, Craig" 1 called hastily.
 He hurried over to me and looked. We could both see in the busybody mirror group of excited passers-by bending over man lying prostrate on the sidewalk.
 The excited crowd lifted him up and bore him away. and 1 turned in sur prise to Craig. He was looking at his watch
 It was now only few moments past nine o'clock.
 Some time later our door was eX- citedly flung open and Elaine and Perry Bennett arrived.
 i've just heard of the accident" she cried. fearfully. Isn't it terrible What had we better do?"
 For a few moments no one said a word. Then Kennedy began carefully examining the bolometer and some other recording instruments he had, while the rest of us watched. fasci- mated.
 Somehow that "busybody" seemed to attract me. could not resist look ing into it from time to time as Ken. nedy worked.
 l was scarcely able to control my excitement when again 1 saw the same scene enacted on the sidewalk before the laboratory. Hurriedly l looked at my watch. It was ten o'clock!
 Craig" I cried Another"
 Instantly he was at my side, gazing eagerly. There was second innocent pedestrian lying on the sidewalk while a crowd. almost panic-stricken. gath cred about i'm
 Its no use" he muttered, as we gathered about him Were beaten cat stand this sort of thing. l will leave tomorrow fo' South America
 I thought Elaine Dodge would faint at he 4hock of his words coming sC soon after the terrible occurrence out side. She looked at him speeches..