The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1915-05-15
FOURTEENTH EPISODE
THE RECKONING,

Pacing up and down his den In the
heart OF Chinatown. Long Sin was
thinking over his bargain with Ken
nedy TO bctray the Infamous Clutch.
ing Hand.
. At length he seated himself on q
i teakwood table still dclibera,ing over
the promise he had been forced to
make TO Kennedy.
Suddenly an idea seemed to strike
him. Lifting IA little hammer, he
struck n Chinese gong on the table
at his side. At the same time he
leaned over and turned the knob at the
side OF large rolltop desk
A few seconds later n sort OF hatch.
way, covered by rug on the floor, in
ono corner OF the room was slowly
lifted and Long Sins secretary. n pale,
cadaverous Chinaman, appeared from
below. He stepped noisclessly into
the room and shui'led across to Long
Sin and handed him letter
Long Sin scowlcd as though some.
thing had interfcred with his own
plans, but tore open the envelope with.
out n word. spreading out on his lap
the sheet OF paper II contained.
The letter was n typewriter mes.
sage. Nil In capitals. which read:
BE AT HEADQUARTERS AT 12.
DESTROY THIS IMMEDIATELY"
At the bottom OF the note appeared
the sinister signature Of the Clutching
Hand.
Rowing low again. the secretary
shuiiied across and down again
through the hatchway, closing the
door MS he descended
Long Sin read the note once more,
while his inscrutablc face assumed an
expression OF malicious cunning,
With an air of deliberation he
reached for n match and struck II.
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 II 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 final scheme Of iiendish
ingenuity for the absolute destruc.
tion OF Craig Kennedy
He had been nj work IN small
room fitting up n sort of laboratory.
In the mysterious house which now
served as his headquarters.
Clutching Hand. at bench In one
corner, had Just completed an infernal
machine OF diabolical cunning. and
was wrapping Il carefully in paper TO
make an innocent package.
lie was interrupted by a knock at
the door. Laying down the bomb he
went 70 answer the summons with O
stealthy movement. There stood Long
Sin, who had disguised himself as Q
Chinese laundryman.
"On time--good!" growled Clutch
Inc Hand surlily as he closed the door
with equal care.
No time was wasted In useless for
malities,
This is a bomb" lie went ON. point
Ing to the package. Garry 1t care
fully. On no account let 1t siip' OF
you are a dead man 1t must De III
Kennedy's laboratory before night
Understand? Can you arrange IT,
Long Sin glanced at the dangerous
package. then with an expressive iook'
replied. Have no fear ! can 40 IT,
It will be In the laboratory withih u"
hour. Trust me-"
In Kennedy's laboratory was watch'
Ing Craig make some experiments
with new X.ray apparatus
We were oblivlous to the passage VI
time. and only call over our speak
Ing tube. diverted our attention.
l opened the door and few SECONDS
later Long Sin himself entered
Kennedy looked up inquiringly a.
the Chinaman approached, holding OUT
= package which he carried,
"A bomb" he said, In the most mat-
tsr.of.fact way. II promised to nave
n placed In your laboratory before
night" ..u.
Kennedy took the bomb and care.
su,Iv placed II under the wonderfui
rays. then with the horoscope over ms
sves studied the shadow cast by the
rsys ON it's sensitive screen.
"Its q bomb, sure enough C.ss
exclaimed, looking up from It st 10y
n mo. "Its timed BY an ingenious