The Dermott news., 1915-07-08

floor OF the room in which they wosSs'
standing he led Bennett down a step
ladder into the subterranean 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
cup some of the liquor of death
which Tong Wah mad mixed He hand
ed it to Bennett, who drank it eagerly.
How do you propose to help me to
escape?" asked Bennett huskily
Without word Long Sin went to
the wall, and, grasping one of the
| stones. pressed it back, opening a
large receptacle. in which there were
two glass collins apparently contain
ing two dead <Iinamen. 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 1t is what is called in your
language suspended animation"
is 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 back into
the chair. shaking his head as If to 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 to the
cup from which Bennett had drank.
But. dear MASTER" he remarked
suayely, you have already drank a
full dose OF the potion which causes
insensibilty. and it is overcoming you.
Even now" he added. you are too
weak to rise -
With a malicious chuckle Long Sin
moved closer to his victim and spok
again
"Diyulge where your seven million
dollars are hidden he suggested
eraftily. and l 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 strsg-
gle he managed to raise one hand
and pointed to his breast pocket
The Chinaman instantly thrust in kis
hand and drew out map.
Fer some moments Long Sin evan
med the map intently. and. with grin
Of satisfaction. he placed it in his own
pocket Then he mixed what he de-
elared was a sure autidote. and. pour
ing some OF the liquor into cup. he
held it to Benefits lips.
As Bennett opened his mouth to
drink IT, Long Sin with laugh slowly
pulled the cup away and poured its
contents on the floor.
By this time | was slowly recovering
my senses in the secretary's offe
where Bennett had left me in the d
guise OF the Clutching Hand Elain
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 OF Ben
nett or the taXicah in which he had
fed
Somehow. Kennedy suspected. in
stinctively. that Long Sin might give
clue to Benefits whereabouts. and
a few moments later we were all on
our way in a car to Long Sins house.
Though we did not know 1t, Long
| Sin. at the moment when Kennedy
! knocked at his door. was feeling in his
| inside pocket TO see that the map he
| had taken from Bennett was perfectly
safe Finding that he had it, he smiled
with his peculiar oriental guile. Then
| he opened the door and stood for
moment, silent
Where is Bennett?" demanded Ken
needy.
Long Sin eyed US all. then. with a
placid smile, said. Follow me. will
show you"
There was Bennett, seated rigidly
the chair beside the table. from which
the Walls and cups. about which we
knew nothing, had been removed.
How did it happen?" asked Ken
needy.
He came here" replied Long Sin.
with 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 pause. but he Is dead"
Elaine, who had followed us down.
covered her eyes with her hands and
was sobbing convulsively l thought
she would faint but Kennedy led her
gently away into an upper room.
AS he placed her in an easy chair.
he bent over her. soothingly.
Did you-did you--really---love
him." he asked in low tone
Still shuddering, and with an eager
look at Kennedy, Elaine shook her
beautiful head
Then. slowly rising to her feet, she
looked at Craig appealingly.