The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-05
TWELFTH EPISODE
THE BLOOD CRYSTALS.

THE BLOOD CRYSTALS.
ION your right is the residence OF
Miss Elaine Dodge, who is pursuing
the famous master criminal known as
the Clutching Hand"
The barker had been grandiloquent-
ay pointing out the residences of noted
New Yorkers as the big sightseeing
car numbered along through the
streets.
No one had paid any attention to
the unobtrusive Chinaman who sat in.
conspicuously in the middle of the car.
He was Mr.. Wong Long Sin, but no
one saw anything particularly mys-
terious about an Oriental visitor, more
or less. viewing New York city.
Wong was Of the mandarin type,
with long, dropping mustache, well
dressed in American clothes, and con-
forming to the new customs of an Oc'
cidentalized China.
Anyone. however. who had been
watching Long Sin would have seen
that he showed much interest when
ever any of the wealthy residents Of
the city were mentioned. The name
of Elaine Dodge seemed particularly
to strike him. He listened with subtle
Interest to what the barker said and
looked keenly at the Dodge house
The sightseeing car had passed the
house, when he rose slowly and mo-
toned that he wanted to be let off.
The car stopped he ahghted and slow
1y rambled away. evidently marveling
greatly at the strange customs Of these
uncouth Westerners.
Elaine was going out when she met
Perry Bennett almost on the steps Of
the house.
I've brought you the watch" re-
marked Bennett. Thought I'd like to
give it to you myself"
He displayed the watch which he
himself had bought couple of days
before for her birthday. He had called
for 1t himself at the jewelers., where it
had now been regulated.
"Oh. thank you" exclaimed Elaine.
wont you come in?"
They had scarcely greeted each other
when Long Sin strolled along. Neither
of them, however. had time TO notice
the quiet Chinaman who passed the
house, looking at Elaine sharply out of
the corner Of his eye. They entered
and Wong disappeared down the
street
Isn't II a beauty?" cried Elaine.
holding 1t out from her as they entered
the library, and examining it with
great appreciation. And, OH do you
know. the strangest thing happened
yesterday! Sometimes Mr.. Kennedy
acts too queerly for anything"
She related how Craig had burst in
on her and Aunt Josephine and had
almost torn the other watch off her
wrist.
Another watch?" repeated Bennett,
amazed. ut must have been mis-.
take. Kennedy is crazy"
81 don't understand it, myself" mur.
INJURED Elaine.
Long Sin was revolving some dark
and devious plan beneath his impas-
sive Oriental countenance. He was no
ordinary parsonage. In fact, he was
astute enough TO have no record He
left that TO his tools.
This remarkable criminal had estab-
lished himself in a hired apartment
down town.
Long Sin. now in rich Oriental cos.
tune, was reclining on a divan smok.
ing a strengthening pipe and playing
with two pet white rats. Each white rat
had a gold band around his leg, to
which was connected a gold chain
about foot in length, and the chains
ended in rings which were slipped
over Wong's little fingers. Ordinarily
he carried the pets up the capacious
sleeve of each arm.
A little Chinese girl, also in native
costume, entered and bowed deferen.
italy
"A Miss Mary Carson" she lisped in
soft English.
Let the lady enter" waved Long
Sin, with smile of subtle satisfaction
The girl bowed again and silently
left the room, returning with hand.
some, very well-dressed white woman
1t would be difficult to analyze just
what the fascination was that Lone
Sin exercised over Mary Carson. But
as the servant left the room, Mary
bowed almost as deferentially as the
little Chinese girl Wong merely nod
Ged in reply.
After moment he slowly rose and
took from drawer newspaper clip
ping. Without a word he handed it tc