The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-12

nation or apology.
"Why-he rang off," she exclaimed
angrily to herself, as she hung up the
receiver and left the room.
In the center Of devious and wind
ing way, quite unknown to all except
those who knew the innermost secrets
Of the Chinese quarter, and even un-
known to the police, there was dingy
tenement house, apparently inhabited
by hard-working Cinnamon, but In re-
atty the headquarters of the notori-
GUS devil worshipers, sect Of satan
lists. banned even in the Celestial EN-.
pire.
The followers of the cult comprised
some of the most dangerous Chinese
criminals, thugs and assassins, be-
sides a number OF dangerous charac-
ters who belonged to various Chinese
secret societies. At the head Of this
formidable organization was Long Sin;
the high priest of the devil god, and
Long Sin had, as we know, already
joined forces with the notorious
Clutching Hand.
The room in which the uncanny rites
of the devil worshipers were conduct
ed was large apartment decorated in
Chinese style, with highly colored por-
traits of some of the devil deities and
costly silken hangings. Beside large
dais depended huge Chinese gong.
On the dais itself stood, or rather
sat, an ugly figure covered with some
sort of metallic plating. 1t almost
seemed to be the mummy of China.
man covered with gold leaf.
Into this room came Long Sin at
tired in an elaborate silken robe. He
advanced and kotowed before the
dais with it's strange figure, and laid
down an offering before it.
This performance was witnessed by
twenty or thirty Cinnamon who knelt
in the rear Of the room.
At the same time an aged Chinaman
carrying a prayer wheel entered the
place and, after prostrating himself
devoutly, placed the machine on a
! sort of low stool or tabourette and
began turning 1t slowly, muttering.
A few moments later Long Sin, who
had been bowing before the metallic
figure in deepest reverence, suddenly
sprang to his feet. His glazed eye and
excited manner indicated that he had
received a message from the lips Of
the strange god.
The worshipers who had prostrated
themselves, in awe at the sight of their
high priest in the unholy frenzy, all
rose to their feet and crowded for
ward.
Long Sin struck several blows on
the resounding gong and then raised
his voice in solemn tones.
"Ksing Chau, the Terrible, demands
consort. She is to be foreign-fair
of face and with golden hair"
-
At the same time, in a room of the
adjoining house, the Clutching Hand
himself was busily engaged in max.
ing the most elaborate preparations
for some nefarious scheme which his
fertile mind had evolved.
The room had been fitted up as q
mediums seance parlor.
Two Of the Clutching Hands most
trusted confederates and hard-faced
woman of middle age, dressed in plain
black, we're putting the finishing
touches to this apartment, when their
chief entered.
Clutching Hand gazed about the
room, now and then giving an order
or two to make more effective the
setting for the purpose which he had
in mind.
Finally he nodded In approval and
stepped over to the fireplace where
logs were burning brightly in a CRATE
Pressing spring in the mantelpiece
the master criminal effected an instant
transformation. The logs in the fire
place, still burning, disappeared imme
diately through the bottom of the brick
tiling and a metal sheet covered them
An aperture opened at the back, as II
by magic.
Through this opening Clutchina
Hand made his way quickly and dis
appeared.
Emerging on the other side of the
peculiar fireplace, Clutching Hand
pushed aside curtain which barred
the way and looked into the Chinese
temple. taking up position behind
the metallic figure on the dais.
The Cinnamon had by this time fin
ished their devotions, IL such they
might be called, and the last one was
leaving, while Long Sin stood alone
on the dais
The noise of the departing satanists
had scarcely died away when Clutch
ing Hand stepped out.
Follow me-" he ordered hoarsely
seizing Long Sin by the arm and lead
ing him away.
They passed through the passage
way of the fireplace and, having en-
tered The seance room, Clutching Hand
began briefly explaining the purpose
of the preparations that had been
made Long Sin wagged his head in
voluble approval.
Elaine was standing in the library
gazing sadly at Kennedys portrait,
thinking over recent events and above
all the rebuff over'tSe telephone which
she supposed she had received.