The Elbert County tribune., 1915-04-16
INFRA.REp RAY NOTES.

The pure infra-red ray which has been
developed by LeCroix frorl the expert
ments of the Italian scientist. Ulivi. causes
when concentrated by an apparatus per
fected by LeCroix. an instantaneous com
bustion of non-refiecting surfaces IL Is
particularly deadly in its effect on the
1t can be diverted. IT is said. however.
by shield composed of platinum backed
by asbestos.
Next Kennedy opened the case
which he had taken out of the cab
met, and from it he took out plat
inum-asbestos mirror. which was
something of his own invention He
held it up, and in pantomime showed
me Just how it would cut off the dead
ly rays.
He had not finished even that, when
peculiar noise in the laboratory it.
self disturbed him. and he hastily
thrust the asbestos-platinum shield
into his pocket.
Though we had not realized it, our
return had been anticipated.
Suddenly from a closet projected
magazine gun. and before we could
move Clutching Hand himself slowly
appeared behind us.
We started to our feet, but in an
instant found ourselves sprawling on
the floor.
In the cabinet, beneath the labora-
tory table, another crook had been
hidden. and he tackled us with all
the skill OF an old football player.
against whom we had no defense.
Four of them were upon us in
stantly.
AT the same time Thomas, the faith
less valet of Bennett, had been dis
patched by the Clutching Hand to
commander his masters roadster in
his absence, and, carrying out the in
structions, he had driven up before
Elaine's house at the very moment
when she was going out for walk.
Thomas jumped out of the car and
touched his hat deferentially.
"A message from Mr.. Bennett.
ma'am,g he explained. MIR. Kennedy
and Mr.. Bennett have sent me to ask
you to come over to the laboratory"
Unsuspectingly, Elaine stepped into
the car and drove off.
Instead however. of turning and
pulling up on the laboratory side of
the street, Thomas stopped opposite
it. He got out and Elaine. thinking
that perhaps it was to save time
that he had not turned the car around,
followed
The door was opened quickly by
lookout of the Clutching Hand and the
valet asked if Craig and Elaine's law
yer were in. OF course. the lookout
replied that they were, and before
Elaine knew it she was jostled into
the dark hallway
And as the door slammed she caught
sight of the fearsome Clutching Hand
himself
She drew back, but was too fright
ened even to scream
With harsh, cruel laugh. the super
criminal beckoned to her to follow
him and look down through a small
trapdoor.
Unable now to resist. she did so.
There she saw us. To that extent
the valet had told the truth. Ken
nedy was standing in deep thought.
while | sat on an old box. smoking a
cigarette-very miserable.
Watching his chance, when the
street was deserted, the Clutching
Hand and his followers had hustled
us over to the new hangout from the
laboratory There they had met more
crooks and had thrust us into this vile
hole.
AS the various Intellectual schemes
for escape surged through my head. 1
happened to look up and caught a
glance of horror on Craig's face.
followed his eyes There, above us.
was Elaine!
l saw her look from us to the Clutch
ing Hand in terror. But none of us
uttered a word.
Il will now show you, my dear
ing Hand at length, "as pretty game
Of hide and seek as you have ever
seen"
As he said it another trapdoor near
the infra-red ray machine was opened
and a beam of light burst through.
knew it was not that which we had to
fear, but the invisible rays that ac-
companied it, the rays that had af-
fected the bolometer.
Just then spot of light showed
near my foot, moving about the ce-
ment floor until it fell on my shoe In
stantly the leather charred, even be-
fore l could move.
Kennedy and I leaped to our feet
and drew back The beam followed
US. We reteated further. Still 1t fol-
lowed. inexorably.
Clutching Hand was now holding
Elaine near the door where she could
not help seeing, laughing diabolically
while he directed LeCroix and the rest
to work the infra-red ray apparatus
through the trap.
AS we lodged from corner to corner,