The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-14

tongue he seized them and stuck them
into tall beaker, like . vase. Then
he deliberately walked to the window
and placed the beaker on the ledge in
most prominent position.
Elaine and Bennett, to say nothing
of myself, gazed at him. awe-struck.
"Is-is there no other way but to
surrender she asked.
Kennedy mournfully shook his
head.
I'm afraid not" he answered slow.
ly. There's no telling how far a fell
low who has this marvellous power
might go. l think I'd better leave, to
save you. He may not content him.
self with innocent outsiders always"
Nothing that any of us could saw.
not even the pleadings of Elaine ber-
self, could move him. The thought
that at eleven o'clock a third innocent
passer-by might lie stricken on the
street seemed to move him powerfully.
I'm SO sorry-Craig," murmured
Elaine, choking back her emotion and
finding It impossible to go on.
so am l, Elaine" he answered,
tensely. 'But-perhaps-when this
trouble blows over
He paused. unable to 60 on, turned
and shook his head Then with a
forced gayety he bade, Elaine and
Perry Bennett adieu. saying that per
haps trip might do him good.
They had scarcely gone out, and
Kennedy closed the door carefully,
when he turned and went directly to
the instrument which had seen him
observing so interestedly.
Plainly I could see that it was reg
istering something.
He walked fairly close to the win
dow this time. keeping we'll out of the
direct line of it, however, and there
stood gazing out into the street.
1--WE are being watched" he said
slowly, turning and looking at me fix
edly, "but I don't dare investigate lest
it cost the lives of more unfortunates." ]"
He stood for 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 were
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 the sign-the vase of flowers. We
have got him this time!"
LeCroix gleefully patted a peculiar
instrument beside him. Apparently
it was a combination of powerful elec.
trio arcs, the rays of which were shot
through a funnel-like arrangement
into converted or, rather, a 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.
'T told you it would work." cried
LeCroix.
I 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 brilliant succession of
cases as had been his until We met
this master criminal.
He was unshakable, however, and
the next morning we closed the
laboratory and loaded our baggage
into taxicab.
Neither of US said much, but I saw
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 l noticed that
he chose with care, to wait at one
side. One Of them was an Irishman
with a slight limp; the other a 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 sangplank. in the crowd, I
noticed a couple of sinister faces
watching the ships officers and the
passengers going aboard. Kennedys
quick eye spotted them, too, but he
did not show in any way that he no
ticed anything as, followed by our two