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The Romance of Elaine Sequel to "Exploits of Elaine" by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin), 1880-1936
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A word from our supporters: File extension DEC | This eBook was produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. THE CRAIG KENNEDY SERIES THE ROMANCE OF ELAINE A DETECTIVE NOVEL Sequel to the "Exploits" BY ARTHUR B. REEVE CONTENTS CHAPTER I THE SERPENT SIGN II THE CRYPTIC RING III THE WATCHING EYE IV THE VENGEANCE OF WU FANG V THE SHADOWS OF WAR VI THE LOST TORPEDO VII THE GRAY FRIAR VIII THE VANISHING MAN IX THE SUBMARINE HARBOR X THE CONSPIRATORS XI THE WIRELESS DETECTIVE XII THE DEATH CLOUD XIII THE SEARCHLIGHT GUN XIV THE LIFE CHAIN XV THE FLASH XVI THE DISAPPEARING HELMETS XVII THE TRIUMPH OF ELAINE THE ROMANCE OF ELAINE CHAPTER I THE SERPENT SIGN Rescued by Kennedy at last from the terrible incubus of Bennett's persecution in his double life of lawyer and master criminal, Elaine had, for the first time in many weeks, a feeling of security. Now that the strain was off, however, she felt that she needed rest and a chance to recover herself and it occurred to her that a few quiet days with "Aunt" Tabitha, who had been her nurse when she was a little girl, would do her a world of good. She sent for Aunt Tabby, yet the fascination of the experiences through which she had just gone still hung over her. She could not resist thinking and reading about them, as she sat, one morning, with the faithful Rusty in the conservatory of the Dodge house. I had told the story at length in the Star, and the heading over it caught her eye. It read: THE CLUTCHING HAND DEAD ------ Poison--Kennedy Now on Trail of Master Criminal's Hidden Millions. ---- As Elaine glanced down the column, Jennings announced that Aunt Tabby, as she loved to call her old friend, had arrived, and was now in the library with Aunt Josephine. With an exclamation of delight, Elaine dropped the paper and, followed by Rusty, almost ran into the library. Aunt Tabby was a stout, elderly, jolly-faced woman, precisely the sort whom Elaine needed to watch over her just now. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you," half laughed Elaine as she literally flung herself into her nurse's arms. "I feel so unstrung--and I thought that if I could just run off for a few days with you and Joshua in the country where no one would know, it might make me feel better. You have always been so good to me. Marie! Are my things packed? Very well. Then, get my wraps." Her maid left the room. "Bless your soul," mothered Aunt Tabby stroking her soft golden hair, "I'm always glad to have you in that fine house you bought me. And, faith, Miss Elaine, the house is a splendid place to rest in but I don't know what's the matter with it lately. Joshua says its haunts--" "Haunts?" repeated Elaine in amused surprise. "Why, what do you mean?" Marie entered with the wraps before Aunt Tabby could reply and Jennings followed with the baggage. "Nonsense," continued Elaine gaily, as she put on her coat, and turned to bid Aunt Josephine good-bye. "Good-bye, Tabitha," said her real aunt. "Keep good care of my little girl." "That I will," returned the nurse. "We don't have all these troubles out in the country that you city folks have." |