The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-06-15
istering something.

1t cost the lives of more unfortunates. !"
He stood for a moment in deep
thought. Then he pulled out suit
case and began silently to pack it.
Although we had not dared to In
vestigate, we knew that from build
Ing across the street emissaries Of
the Clutching Hand were watching
for our signal of surrender.
The fact was, as we found out later,
that in poorly furnished room, much
after the fashion of that which, with
the help of the authorities. we had
once raided in the suburbs, there we're
at that moment two crooks.
One of them was the famous, or
rather Infamous, Professor LeCroix.
The other was the young secretary of
the Clutching Hand
This was the new headquarters OF
the master criminal, very carefully
guarded.
Look" cried LeCroix, very much
excited by the effect that had been
produced by his infra-red rays. There
is luG SI5u-IuC Ndo0 VI az "a D. w -
have got him this time!"
LeCroix gleefully patted a peculiar
instrument beside him. Apparently
it was a combination of powerful cleo
trio arcs, the rays of which were shot
through a funnel-like arrangement
into a converted or, rather, sort OF
concentration apparatus from which
the dread power could be released
| through a tubelike affair at the end.
It was his infra-red heat wave, Fray,
engine.
81 told you 1t would work." cried
LeCroix
l did not argue any further with
Craig about his sudden resolution to
go away. But 1t Is very solemn pro.
ceeding to pack up and admit defeat
after such a brilliant succession OF
cases as had been his until we met
this master criminal.
ne was unsnaKaDIe, however, and
the next morning we closed the
laboratory and loaded our baggage
into taxicab.
Neither of us said much, but saw
a quick look of appreciation on Craig's
face as we pulled up at the wharf
and saw that Elaine's car was already
there. He seemed deeply moved that
Elaine should come at such an early
hour to have a last word.
Our car stopped, and Kennedy
moved over toward her car. direct
ing two porters, whom / noticed that
he chose with care, to wait at one
side One of them was an Irishman
with slight limp; the other wiry
Frenchman with a pointed beard.
In spite Of her pleadings, however,
Kennedy held to his purpose. and as
we shook hands for the last time
thought that Elaine would almost
break down
We finally tore ourselves away,
followed by the porters carrying as
much as they could.
Bon voyage!" called Elaine, brave
ly keeping back choke in her voice.
Near the gangplank, in the crowd,
noticed a couple Of sinister faces
watching the ships officers and the
passengers going aboard. Kennedy's
quick eye spotted them, too, but he
did not show in any way that he no.
ticed anything as, followed by our two
porters, we quickly climbed the gang
plank.
'In there pointed Kennedy, quick
ly to the porters, indicating our state
room, which was an outer room.
"Come, Walter"
1 followed him in with heavy
heart.
Outside could be seen the two sin
lister faces in the crowd watching in
tently, with eyes fixed on the state
room Finally one Of the crooks
boarded the ship hastily, while the
other watched the two porters come
out of the stateroom and pause at the
window, speaking back into the room
as though answering commands.
Then the porters quickly ran along
the deck and down the plank to get
the rest Of the luggage.
They took small but very heavy
box and, Juggling and tugging, hastened
toward the boat with it. But they
were too late. The gangplank was be-
| ing hauled in.
They shouted, but the ships officers
waved them back.
The porters argued. But 1t was no
use. All they could do was to carry
the box back to the Dodge car.
Miss Dodge was Just getting in as
| they returned.
What shall we do with this and
the other stuff?" asked the Irish por.
ter.
She looked at the rest of the tagged
luggage and the box which was
marked:
Scientific instruments
Valuable
Handle With careI
"Here-pile them in there" she
said, indicating the taxicab. TIL take
care of them"
| Meanwhile one of our sinister-faced
friends had just had time to regain
the shore after following US aboard
ship and strolling past the window
of our stateroom. He paused LONG
| enough to observe one Of the occu
pants studying map, while the othel
I was opening bag.
They're goneI" he said to the Other
as ne rejoined him on the DOCK. CIV
ing a nod of his head and jerk Of
! hfc fh41uoh Of tho shin
YES" added the other crook, "ant
lost most OF their baggage, too"
Slowly the car proceeded through
the streets up from the river front
followed by the taxicab, until at las
the Dodge mansion was reached.
Elaine sighed modify as she walket
slowly in.
Here, Marie" she cried petu
lantly to her maid, take these wraps
of mine"
} A moment later Aunt Josephine lef
her and Elaine went into the librar.
and over to table. She stood Their
an instant, then sank down into
chair, taking up Kennedy's pictur'
and gazing at 1t with eyes filed will
tears
Just then Jennings came into tn
room, ushering the two porters iadel
with the boxes and bags.
where shall have them put thes
things, Miss Elaine?" he inquired.
"Oh-anywhere," she answered hui
riedly. replacing the picture.
Jennings paused. As he did sc
one of the porters limped forward
i've a message for you, miss" b
said in rich Irish brogue. with loo
at Jennings, ito be delivered in pr