Omaha daily bee., 1915-04-04

Pacing up and down his den in the
heart OF Chinatown, Long Sin was think
ing over his bargain with Kennedy 20 be-
tray the infamous Ciutchlng Hand.
At length he seated himself at a teak
wood table. still celebrating over the
promise he had been forced 20 make TO
Kennedy. He sat for some moments,
deeply absorbed in thought.
Suddenly an idea seemed 10 strike him.
Lifting a little hammer. he struck a Chi
nese gong on the table at his side. At the
same time he leaned over and turned a
knob at the side of large rolltop desk.
few seconds later a sort OF hatchway,
covered by rug on the floor, In one cor
ner of the room, was slowly lifted, and
Long Sins secretary. a pale, cadaverous
Cbinaman, appeared from below. IIe
stepped noiselessly into the room and
shuffled across to Long Sin.
Long Sin scowled. as though something
had interfered with his own plans, but
tore open tho envelope without n word
spreading out on his lap the sheet of
paper II contained
The letter bore a typewritten message.
all In capitals. which read:
BE AT HEADQUARTERS AT Il.
DESTROY THIS IMMEDIATELY"
At the bottom OF the note appeared the
sinister signature of the Clutching Hand
AS soon a. he had finished reading the
note the chinaman turned TO his obse-
quious secretary. who stood motionless,
with folded arms and head meekly bent.
Very WELL" he said. with an imperious
wave OF his hand. you may GO"
Bowling low again the secretary shuffled
across and down again through the
hatchway, closing the door as he do
scended.
Long Sin read tho note once more,
while his inscrutable face assumed an
expression OF malicious cunning. Then he
glanced at his heavy gold watch.
A few moments later. with a malignant
chuokle. Long Sin rose slowly and left
the room.
Meanwhile the master criminal was
busily engaged In putting the finishing
touches TO final scheme OF fiendish in
genuity for the absolute destruction OF
Craig Kennedy.
He had been at work In a small room
fitted up as a sort OF laboratory. IN the
mysterious house which now served as his
headquarters
Clutehing Hand. at bench in one cor
ner' had just completed an Internal ma
chine OF dlabolical cunning, and was
wrapping II carefully In paper to make
an innocent package.
He was Interrupted by a knock AZ the
door. Laying down the bomb he went TO
answer the summons with a stoalthy
movement. There stood Long Sin. who
had disguised himself as a Chinese Iaun-
dryman.
"on time-sood!' growled ClutchinE
Hand hur1dly as he closed the door with
equal care.
No time was wasted in useless formali-
ties.
This is a bomb" he went on. pointinr
70 the package. Garry It carefully. ON
no account let II slip. or you are a dead
man II must be In Kennedy's labora-
tory before night Understand? Can YOU
arrange itY'
Long Sin glanced az the dangerous
package. then with an iupassive look.
replied; Have no fear. 1 can do it,It
VIII be In the laboratory within an hour
Trust me-"
For a moment clutching Hand gave
himself up 10 exquisite contemplation OF
what he had Just done then turned 10
clear up his workshop.
In hennedy's laboratory I was watch
ing Craig make some experiments with
new X-ray apparatus which had iuss
arrived, occasionally looking through
the Horoscope when he was examining
some unusually interesting object
We were oDlivious TO the passage OF
time. and only a call over our speaking
tube diverted our attention.
i opened the door and a few second,
later Long Sin himself entered.
Kennedy looked up inquiringly as IN,
chinanan approached. holding out q
package which he carried.
a bomb" he said IN the most mat
ter-of-faet way. II promised 20 have 4
placed IN your laboratory before night.
The placid air with which the gro
tesdue-loolIing Chinaman impaired thii
astounding information was IN itself pre-
posteroua. His actions and words as n,
laid the package down gingerly on In.
laboratory table indicated that he wa
selling the truth.
Kennedy and stared at each oths
IN blank amazement for a moment Thei
the humor OF the thing struck Ne boil
and We laughed outright