Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-04-24

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be concealed with any degree OF safety.
For a momen Bennett glared saw
agely az Long Sin.
II possess hidden plumber worth
seven million dollars a. pleaded
quickly, and IL by your aid can make
n getaway. a seventh Ii yours
The Chinaman's cupidity was clear
ly excited BY Benefits offer. while the
bare mention Of the amount al stake
was sufficient to overcome all his
scruples.
After exchanging n few words ne
finally agreed TO aid the Clutching
Hand. Opening a trap door In the
floor OF the roo In which they were
standing. he led Bennett down q step
ladder into the s~ubterranean chamber
in which Tong Wah had SO recently
been preparing his mysterious potion.
AS Bennett sank into a chair and
passed his hands over his brow In
utter WEAKNESS. Long Sin poured into
a cup some OF the liquor Of death
which Tong Wah a mixed. lie hand
ed II 10 Bennett. who drank II eagerly.
How do you propose 20 help me 20
escape?" asked Bennett huskily.
Without a word Long Sin went 20
the wall. and. grasping one OF the
stones. pressed IL back. opening a
large receptacle. IN which there were
two glass collins apparently contain
ing two dead Cinnamon. Pulling out
the collins. he pushed them before
Bennett, who rose To his feet and
gazed upon them with wonder.
Long Sin broke the silence; These
men," he said. are not dead: but they
have been In this condition for many
months. II is what il called In your
language suspended animation"
lis that what you intend To do with
me?'' asked Bennett. shrinking back In
terror.
The Chinaman nodded In affirmation
as he pushed back the collins.
Overcome BY the horror Of the idea
Bennett. with a groan. sank Jack Into
the chair. shaking his head as II 20 In
dictate that the plan was far too ter
rible to carry out.
With a sinister smile and a shrug Of
his shoulders Long sin pointed 10 the
cup from which Bennett had drank.
But. dear master" he remarked
suavely. you have already drank a
full dose Of the potion which causes
insensibility. and II Is overcoming you.
Even now" he added. you are too
weak 10 rise"
With a malicious chuckle Long Sin
moved closer 10 his victim and spoke
again.
"Divulge where your seven million
dollars are hidden" he suggested
craftily. and I will give you an anti
dote."
BY this time Bennett. who was be-
coming more rigid each moment. was
unable TO speak.
Slowly. and after a desperate strug-
gle. he managed 10 raise one hand
and pointed TO his breast pocket
The Chinaman instantly thrust In bis
hand and drew out a map.
For some moments Long Sin exam
ned the map intently. and. with a grin
Of satisfaction. he placed II In his own
pocket. Then he mixed what he de-
clared was a sure antidOte. and. pour
ing some OF the liquor into a cup. he
held IL To BENEFITS lips.
AS Bennett opened his mouth to
drink II. Long Sin with a laugh slowly
pulled the cup way and poured its
contents on the floor.
BY this time | was slowly recovering
my senses In the seCretary's office.
where Bennett had left me IN the dis
guise OF the Clutching Hand. Elaine.
the secretary and the clerks were
gathered around me. doing all they
could TO revive me.
Meanwhile Kennedy had enlisted
the aid OF two detectives and was
securing the city for a trace 0f Ben
nett or the taxicab in which he had
fed.
Somehow. Kennedy suspected. IN
stinctively. that Long Sin might give
a clue to Benefits whereabouts. and
a few m later we were all on
U way In q car 10 Long Sins house.
Though We did not know Il. Long
Sin. ut the Womcnt when Kennedy
knocked at his door. was feeling In his
inside pocket 20 see that the map he
had taken from Bennett was perfectly
safe. Finding that he had II. he smiled
with his peculiar oriental guile. Then
he opened the door and stood for a
moment. silent.
Where Is Bennett" demanded Ken
nedy.
Long Sin eyed US all, then. with a
placid smile. said. Follow me. | will
show you"
There was Bennett. seated rigidly In
the chair beside the table. from which
he Walls and cups about which we
knew nothing. had been removed.
How did II happen" asked Ken
nedy.
He came here" replied Long Sin.
with a wave OF his hand. and before |
could stop him he did away with him
self"
We'll. we've got him." unused Ken
nedy. shaking his head sadly. adding
after a pause. but he Is dead"
Elaine. who had followed US down.
rnvarad har avau Nth har had -rd