Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1915-07-23
NINTH EPISODE
THE DEATH RAY.


Kennedy was reading a scientific
treatise one morning. while was
banging on the typewriter, when a
knock at the laboratory door disturbed
us.
By some intuition Craig seemed to
know who It was. He sprang to open
the door. and there stood Elaine
Dodge and her lawyer. Perry Bennett.
Instantly Craig read from the
startled look on Elaine's face that
something dreadful had happened.
why - what's the natter" he
asked, solicitously.
"A-another letter--from the Clutch
ing Hand!" she exclaimed breath
sessly.
Craig took the letter and we both
read, with amazement:
Are you an enemy OF society? II not
order Craig Kennedy to leave the country
by nine o'clock tomorrow morning. 9th
erwlse n pedestrian will drop dead outside
his laboratory every hour until he leaves.
The note was signed b. the now ia
miliar sinister hand. and had added
to 1t a postscript which read:
AS a token of his leaving. have him
place vase of flowers in his laboratory
window today.
What shall we do?" queried Ben
nett, evidently very much alarmed
at the letter.
"Do?" replied Kennedy. laughing
contemptuously at the apparently flu.
tile threat. why, nothing. Just
wait"
We got up as usual the next day.
and quite early went over to the labo-
ratory. Kennedy. as was his custom,
plunged straightway into his work
and appeared absorbed by it. while
wrote.
There is something queer going
on. Walter" he remarked. This
thing registers some kind of wireless
rays-infrared, I think-something
like those that they say that Italian
scientist, Ulivi. claims he has discov'
cred and called the Trays"
"How do you know" i asked, look
ing up from my work. What's that
instrument you are using?"
"A bolometer, invented by the late
Professor Langley" he replied, his
attention riveted on 1t.
Some time previously Kennedy had
had installed on the window ledge one
OF those mirrorlike arrangements
known as 'busybody." which show
those in a room what Is going on in
the street.
AS ! moved over to look at the
bolometer ! happened to. glance into
the "busybody" and saw that crowd
was rapidly collecting on the side
walk.
Look, Craigl" ! called hastily.
He hurried over to me and looked
We could both see IN the busybody
mirror group of excited passers-b,
bending over man lying PROSTATE or
he sidewalk.
The excited crowd lifted him up and
bore him away, and | turned in sur
prise to Craig. lie was looking at his
watch.
1t was now only few moments pas
nine o'clock!
Some time later our door was ex
citedly flung open and Elaine ant
Perry Bennett arrived
i've just heard of the accident!
she cried. fearfuiry. Isn't 1t terrible
What had we better do?"
For a few moments no one said |
word Then Kennedy began CAREFUL!
examining the bolometer and SOM
other recording instruments he had
while the rest OF us watched, fasci
mated.
4. Somehow that "busybody" seemed
attract me. could not resist look
ing into Il from time to time as Ken
nedy worked
| was scarcely able to control m,
excitement when again | saw the sam
Jcene enacted on the sidewalk befor
the laboratory. Hurriedly ! looked a
my watch. II was ten o'clock!
Craig. cried. Another"
Instantly he was at my side. gain
eagerly. There was second innocen
pedestrian lying on the sidewalk Will
a crowd, almost panic-stricken, gath
cred about lin.
Its no use." he muttered. as W
gathered about him. Were beateg
can't stand this sort of thing. wi
leave tomorrow TO-: South America.
thought Elaine Dodge would fam
a the shock of his words coming
sO,1 after the terrible occurrence on
sjdA che looked at him speechlsss.