The Monticellonian., 1915-08-26
TWENTY-THIRD EPISODE
THE TELITALE HEART.

Elaine had dropped in one afternoon to see Kennedy at the laboratory. Craig was working over a straight backed chair which stood close to the wall On the arms were short straps, apparently to fasten down the arms of the sitter.
 As they chatted. Elaine watched Craig curieusly. examining the chair and especially the left arm, on which was placed a metal disk in such a 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. "It looks like a death chair"
 Scarcely as bad as that" laughed Kennedy, taking up a large clock faced dial which had a single hand evidently intended to be swung around by some force through the graduated scale on it's face. "This is the sphyg- mograph-a scientific third degree, :" he explained, indicating both the chair and the dial. Tt reads persons thoughts and feelings through the pressure of the blood"
 
 I was on my way from the Star of flee when I happened to spy face in the crowd that seemed familiar It was of a Chinaman. and. although l could not just place him, I knew that I had seen him somewhere before. l decided to play detective.
 Not many minutes before, down in that secret den in which the serpent Wueconcocted his yillainies, that wor- thy had been at work again, tireless.
 With subtle satisfaction, he had held in his hand. which was carefully gloved in rubber, a small glass tube, perhaps three-quarters of an inch in diameter.
 In the tube was minute but al most priceless particle of that strange element, radium. For moment Wu regarded it, then took up a hand kerchief that lay before eim. 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 gruffiy to servant, Take this letter and the other thing to Inez. You know the address.
 On uptown he went until he came to a rather ordinary looking apart ment house. He went in without dis covering that l was following.
 I glanced about. No one was watch ing me Then, to be sure that would recognize the house. l noted 1t by marking a small cross with pen cil on the stonework of the steps.
 I did not know at the time, but found out later that upstairs the mes senger rapped at a door which was answered by a maid. mulatto with 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 incosed over her eyes. If in place three minutes, blindness will result in few days"
 Tell the master 1 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 was waiting. She brought out from a closet a rather gaudy yellow dress, a tambourine, headdress and some other materials.
 Now, I want you to put this on, she instructed the maid Here in this box 1 have handkerchief which I want you to use. Tie it over her eyes and keep it there-three min utes at least: longer if you can"
 As I looked at the house outside it immediately occurred to me to let Craig know what had happened, and I 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 I turned away at my end of the line Kennedy hastened to join me. returned to the apartment, bent or carrying out Craig's orders. To my >~~~~o~~~S~>~~~S>-~-o