The Ordway new era., 1915-07-09
anally agreed to aid the Clu.chins


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 weariness. Long Sin poured into
a cup some OF the liquor Of death
which Tong Wah had mixed. He hand
ed 1t to Bennett. who drank 1t eagerly.
"How do you propose to help me to
escape?" asked Bennett huskily.
Without word Long Sin went to
the wall. and, grasping one Of the
stones. pressed 1t 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 to 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. 1t Is what is called in your
language suspended animation"
'Is that what you intend to do with
me?" asked Bennett, shrinking back In
terror.
The Chinaman nodded in affirmation
as he pushed back the collins.
Overcome by the horror of the idea
Bennett. with a groan, sank back into
the chair. shaking his head as IL to In
dicate that the plan was far too ter.
rible to carry out.
With a sinister smile and a shrug Of
his shoulders Long Sin pointed to the
Ill,
But. dear MASTER" he remarked
suavely. "you have already drank .
full dose of the potion which causes
insensibility. and 1t is overcoming you.
Even now" he added, you are too
weak to RISE" ...
With a malicious chuckle Long Sin
moved closer to his victim and spoke
again. '''
"Divulge where your seven million
dollars are hidden" he suggested
craftily. land 1 will give you an anti.
dote." u
By this time Bennett. who was be-
unable to speak.
Slowly, and after a desperate strHg-
gle. he managed to raise one haad
and pointed to his breast pocket
The Chinaman instantly thrust In his
hand and drew out a map.
For some moments Long Sin evan.
ined the map intently. and. with a grin
of satisfaction. he placed 1t in his own
pocket. Then he mixed what he de-
clared was a sure antidote. and, psur-
ing some Of the liquor into o cup. he
held 1t to Benefits lips.
AS Bennett opened his mouth to
drink 1t. Long Sin with a laugh slowly
pulled the cup away and poured Its
contents on the floor.
By this time was slowly recovering
my senses in the secretary's ofiice.
where Bennett had left me in the dis
guise of the Clutching Hand. Elaine,
the secretary and the clerks were
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 trace Of Ben
| nett or the taxicab in which he had
fed.
Somehow, Kennedy suspected, in
stinctiyely. that Long Sin might give
q
few moments later we were all on
our way In car to Long Sins house.
Though we did not know 1t, Long
Sin. at the moment when Kennedy
knocked at his door. was feeling In his
inside pocket to see that the map he
had taken from Bennett was perfectly
safe. Finding that he had 1t, he smiled
with his peculiar oriental guile. Then
| he opened the door and stood for q
moment, silent.
Where is Bennett? demanded Ken.
nedy.
Long Sin eyed us all, then. with a
placid smile, said. Follow me. l will
| show you"
There was Bennett, seated rigidly in
the chair beside the table. from which
the walls and cups. about which we
knew nothing, had been removed.
How did 1t happen?" asked Ken
| nedy.
"He came here" replied Long Sin,
| with a wave of his hand. "and before
could stop him he did away with him.
| self"
well. we've got him." unused Ken
nedy, shaking his head sadly. adding
after pause, "but he is dead"
Elaine, who had followed us down,
covered her eyes with her hands and
was sobbing convuIsively. thought
she would faint. but Kennedy led her
gently away into an upper room.
As he placed her in an easy chair.
he bent over her. soothingly.
did you-did you-really- love
him?" he asked in a low tone.
Still shuddering. and with an eager
look at Kennedy. Elaine shook her
beautiful head.
Then. slowly rising to her feet, she
looked at Craig appealingly.
Forgive me-" murmured Elaine,
holding out her hand Then she added