The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times., 1915-06-24


standing. he led Bennett down a step.
ladder into the subterranean chamber
In which Tong Wah had so recently
been preparing his mysterious potion.
AS Bennett sank into a chair and
passed his hands over his brow IN
utter WEAKNESS, Long Sin poured into
cup some OF the liquor OF death
which Tong wah had mixed. He hand.
ed Il 10 Bennett, who drank II eagerly.
How do you propose TO help me to
escape" asked Bennett huskily.
without a word Long Sin went 10
the wall and, grasping one OF the
stones. pressed II back. opening a
large receptacle. In which there were
two glass collins apparently contain.
ing two dead Cinnamon. Pulling out
the collins. he pushed them before
Bennett. who rose 10 his feet and
gazed upon them with wonder.
Long Sin broke the silence These
men," he said. are not dead: but they
have been in this condition for many
months II is what is called In your
language suspended animation"
lis that what you intend TO do with
me-" asked Bennett, shrinking back In
terror.
The Chinaman nodded In affirmation
as he pushed back the cofiins.
Overcome by the horror OF the idea
Bennett. With a groan. sank back into
the chair, shaking his head as II TO In.
dicate that the plan vGs far too ter.
rible 10 carry out.
With a sinister smile and a shrug OF
his shoulders Long Sin pointed 70 the
cup from which Bennett had drank.
But dear master" he remarked
suayely, you have already drank a
full dose of the potion which causes
lusens.bility. and It is overcoming you.
Even now he added, you are too
weak 10 rise
with a malicious chuckle Long Sin
moved closer 20 his victim and spoke
again.
"Diyulgc where your seven million
dollars are hidden" he suggested
craf,Ily, and will give you an anti.
dote'
BY this time Bennett, who was be.
coming more rigid each moment, was
unable 20 speak
slowly and after a desperate strug.
rle, he managed 10 raise one hand
and pointed 20 his breast pocket
The Chinaman instantly thrust in his
hand and drew out map
For some moments Long Sin evan.
ined the map inteutly and. with a grin
oi satisfaction, he placed II IN his own
pocket Then he mixed what he de.
clarcd was a sure antidote. and, pour.
ing some Of the liquor into a cup. he
held II 10 BENEFITS lips
As Bennett opened his mouth TO
drink II, Long Sin with laugh slowly
pulled III" cup away and poured its
contents on the floor.
BY this time was slowly recovering
my senses In the seCretary's Office,
where Bennett had left me In the dis.
guise OF the Clutching Hand. Elaine.
the secretary and the clerks we're
gathered around me. doing all they
could TO revive me.
Meanwhile Kennedy had enlisted
the aid OF two detectives and was
securing the city for a trace OF Ben.
nett or the taXicab In which he had
fed
Somehow, Kennedy suspected. in.
stinctively, that Long Sin might give
a clue TO Benefits whereabouts, and
few moments later We were all on
our way In car TO Long Sins house.
Though We did not know Il, Long
sin, az the moment when Kennedy
knocked al his door was feeling in his
inside pocket to see that the map he
had taken from Bennett was perfectly
sa'". Finding that he had II. he smiled
with his peculiar oriental guile. Then
he opened the door and stood for a
moment. silent.
Where is Bennett" demanded Ken.
nedy
Long Sin eyed US all, then, with a
placid smile, said, Follow me. will
show YOU
Ihcre was Bennett, seated rigidly in
'.e chalr beside the table. from which
Tie yials and cups, about which we
N''''S' AaN u''H ItIuONtu.
no" did 1t happen" asked Ken.
uedy
II" came here" replied Long Sin.
with wave Of his hand. and before
could stop him he did away with him.
SELF
Well we've got him." mused Ken.
hedy shaking his head sadly, adding
a'ter pause, but he is dead"
Elaine, who had followed us down.
covered her eyes with her hands and
was sob6inR conyulsively. I thought
she would faint, but Kennedy led her
gently away into an upper room.
AS he placed her in an easy chair.
ne bent over her soothingiy.
pid you-did you-really--love
h'm he asked In low tone.
st'll shuddering, and with an eager
LOOK at Kennedy, Elaine shook her
beautiful head.
lhen, slowly rising 10 her feet. she
looked az Craig appealngly.
Forgive me-" murmured Elaine.
holding out her hand. Then ahe added