Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-07-23
FOURTEENTH EPISODE
THE RECKONING.

Z THE RECKONING.
Pacing up and down his den in the
heart of Chinatown. Long Sin was
thinking over his bargain with Ken
nedy to betray the Infamous Clutch
ing Hand.
At length he seated himself on q
teakwood table still celebrating over
the promise he had been forced to
make to Kennedy.
Suddenly an idea seemed to strike
him. Lifting a little hammer. he
struck q Chinese gong on the table
ut his side. At the same time he
leaned over and turned the knob at the
side Of q large roll-top desk.
A few seconds later sort Of hatch
way, covered by q rug on the floor. In
one corner Of the room, was slowly
lifted and Long Sins secretary, pale,
cadaverous Chinaman. appeared from
below. He stepped noiselessly into
the room and shufied across to Long
Sin and handed him letter.
Long Sin scowled, as though some
thing had interfered with his own
plans, but tore open the envelope with
out q word, spreading out on his lap
the sheet of paper 1t contained.
The letter was q typewriter mes
sage, all in capitals, which read:
"BE AT HEADQUARTERS AT IL.
DESTROY THIS IMMEDIATELY"
At the bottom Of the note appeared
the sinister signature of the Clutching
Hand.
Bowling low again, the secretary
shunled across and down again
through the hatchway, closing the
door a. he descended.
Long Sin read the note once more,
while his inscrutable face assumed an
expression Of malicious cunning.
With an air Of elaboration he
reached for Q match and struck it.
He had placed the paper in the flame
when suddenly he seemed to change
his mind. He hastily blew out the
match, which had destroyed only a
corner Of the paper, then folded the
note carefully and placed It in his
pocket
A few moments later. with . malig-
nant chuckle. Long Sin rose slowly
and left the room.
Meanwhile the master criminal was
busily engaged in putting the finishing
touches to q final scheme Of hendish
ingenuity for the absolute destruc'
ton Of Craig Kennedy.
He had been at work In . small
room hitting up q sort Of laboratory
in the mysterious house which now
served % his headquarters.
Clutching Hand. at q bench in one
corner, had just completed an internal
machine Of diabolical cunning, and
was wrapping it carefully in paper to
make an innocent package.
He was interrupted by q knock al
the door. Laying down the bomb he
went to answer the summons with
stealthy movement There stood Lont
Sin, who had disguised himself a.
Chinese laundryman.
ION time-good!" growled Clutch
ing Hand surlily as he closed the dool
with equal care.
No time was wasted in useless for
malities.
This 10 Q bomb" he went on, point
ing to the package. Garry 1t care
fully. On no account let 1t slip. o.
you are q dead man. 1t must be II
Kennedy's laboratory before night
Understand? Can you arrange it,"
Long Sin glanced at the dangerous
package, then with an expressive look
replied, "Have no fear. can do 1t
1t win be in the laboratory within Al
hour. Trust me-"
In Kennedy's laboratory ! was watch
ing Craig make some experiment
with Q new X-ray apparatus.
We were oblivious to the passage o
time. and only . call over our speah
ing tube diverted our attention.
Iopened the door and few second
later Long Sin himself entered.
Kennedy looked up inQuiringly q
the -Chinaman approached, holding GU
q package which he carried.
"A bomb" he said, in the most MAJ
ter-of-fact way. Il promised to hav
It placed In your laboratory befor
night.
Kennedy took the bomb and car
fully placed 1t under the wonderfs
rays. then with the horoscope over hi
eyes studied the shadow cast by tn
rays ON its sentative screen.
ITS . bomb. sure enough" Graf
exclaimed, looking up from 1t at lai
10 mo. Its timed by an ingenios