The Romance of Elaine

The Romance of Elaine, by
Arthur B. Reeve

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Title: The Romance of Elaine
Author: Arthur B. Reeve

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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
------
Double Life Exposed by Craig Kennedy
Perry Bennett, the Famous Young Lawyer, Takes 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."
Elaine went out, followed by Rusty and