The Springdale news., 1915-04-09
INFRA.RED RAY NOTES.

The pure infra-red ray which has been developed by LeGroiX from the experi- ments of the Italian scientist. JltVi. causes. when concentrated by an apparatus per feeted by LeCroix, an instantaneous com bustion of non-retlecting surfaces It Is particularly deadly in its effect on the It 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 inet, and from it he took out a 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 a 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 1t. our return had been anticipated
 Suddenly from closet projected a magazine gun, and before we could move Clutehing 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 CIutching 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 MT Bennett, ma 'am,I he explained. MT Kennedy and Mir. Bennett have sent ne to ask you to come over to the laboratory"
 Unsuspeetingly. Elaine stepped into the ear and drove off.
 Instead,, however of turning and pulling up on the laboratory side of the street. Thomas stopped opposite il. 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 Clutehing Hand and the valet asked if Craig and Elaine.s law. yer We're 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. l happened to look up and caught a glance of horror on Craig's face. I followed his eyes. There, above us, was Elaine,
 saw her look from us to the Clutch ing Hand in terror. But none of us uttered word.
 Il will now show you. my dear young lady" almost hissed the Clutch ing Hand at length, as pretty a game of hide and seek as you have ever seen
 As he said it another trapdoor near the infrared ray machine was opened and beam of light burst through knew it was not that which we had to fear, but the invisible rays that ae- eompanied it. the rays that had af- fected the bolometer
 Just then a spot of light showed near my foot, moving about the ee- ment floor until it fell on my shoe In- stantly the leather charred even be- fore I could move
 Kennedy and l 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. endeavoring to keep the red ray from touching us, the crooks seemed i'll no