"Here, Walter," he remarked. "This will answer your questions about the mysterious deadly ray."
I moved over to the table, eager to satisfy my curiosity and read the notes which he indicated with his finger.
INFRA-RED RAY NOTES
The infra-red ray which has been developed by LeCroix from the experiments of the Italian scientist Ulivi causes, when concentrated by an apparatus perfected by LeCroix, an instantaneous combustion of nonreflecting surfaces. It is particularly deadly in its effect on the brain centers.
It can be diverted, it is said however, by a shield composed of platinum backed by asbestos.
Next Kennedy opened the case which he had taken out of the cabinet and from it he took out the platinum-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 deadly rays.
He had not finished even that, when a peculiar noise in the laboratory itself disturbed him and he hastily thrust the asbestos platinum shield into his pocket.
Though we had not realized it, our return had been anticipated.
Suddenly, from a closet projected a magazine gun and before we could move, the Clutching Hand himself slowly appeared, behind us.
"Ah!" he exclaimed with mock politeness, "so, you thought you'd fool me, did you? Well!"