Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-08-31
TWENTY-THlRD EPISODE
THE TELLTALE HEART.

Elaine had dropped in one afternoon
to see Kennedy at the laboratory.
Craig was working over straight
backed chair which stood close to the
wall On the arms we're short straps,
apparently to fasten down the arms
of the sitter.
AS they ehatted, Elaine watched
Craig curiously, examining the chair
and especially the left arm, on which
was placed a metal disk in such
way that the wrist of anyone sitting
in the chair could be strapped in con-
tact with it. Finally Kennedy at
tached a pair of electric wires from
beneath the chair arm, connecting
with the disk, and running down one
of the legs, thence through a crack
in the floor to the back room Of the
laboratory.
What is it?" asked Elaine. ut
books like a death chair"
Scarcely as bad as that" laughed
Kennedy, taking up a large clock
laced dial which had single hand
evidently intended to be swung around
by some force through the graduated
scale on its face. This is the sphyg-
mograph-a scientific third degree, "
he explained, indicating both the chair
and the dial. 1T reads a persons
thoughts and feelings through the
pressure of the blood"
l was on my way from the Star Of
ice when l happened to spy face
in the crowd that seemed familiar. 1t
was of a Chinaman, and, although
could not just place him, l knew that
J had seen him somewhere before. l
decided to play detective.
Not many minutes before, down In
that secret den in which the serpent
WI concocted his villainies, that wor-
Thy had been at work again, tireless.
With subtle satisfaction, he had held
ia his hand. which was carefully
gloved in rubber, small glass tube,
perhaps three-quarters of an inch in
diameter.
In the tube was a minute but al
element, radium. For a moment WI
regarded it, then took up a hand
kerchief that lay before hin. Already
he had ripped stitch or two from
the seam in the hem. He slipped the
little radium tube into the hem of
the handkerchief.
Here" he said gruffly to a servant,
Take this letter and the other thing
to Inez. You know the address"
On uptown he went until he came
10 rather ordinary looking apart
ment house. He went in without dis
covering that l was following.
glanced about. No one was watch
ing me. Then, to be sure that l
would recognize the house, | noted 1t
by marking a small cross with a pen
Gil on the stonework of the steps.
| did not know at the time, but |
found out later that upstairs the mes
senger raped at a door which was
answered by maid, a mulatto. with a
marked gypsy cast of features.
The maid opened the door into the
hallway and admitted the messenger.
Inez took the note and the lead case,
waving to the maid to leave her.
Then she tore open the note and read;
Have her bind the inclosed over
her eyes. If in place three minutes,
blindness will result in few days"
"Tell the master | shall have 1t
done as he directs" she said to the
Chinaman as she followed him to the
door.
Inez turned and went into the back
room, her boudoir, where the maid
vas waiting She brought out from
a closet a rather gaudy yellow dress,
a tambourine, a headdress and some
other materials.
Now, l want you to put this on"
she instructed the maid. Here in
this box | have a handkerchief which
want you to use. Tie it over her
eyes and keep it there-three min
utes at least; longer if you can"
AS | looked at the house outside it
Immediately occurred to me to let
Craig know what had happened, and
/ sought the nearest telephone booth
and called the laboratory. Elaine
had just gone when l called up, and
told my story of having seen and
trailed the messenger and marked the
house.
AS | turned away at my end of the
line Kennedy fastened to join me.
returned to che apartment, bent on
carrying out Craigs orders. To my