Craig Kennedy Stories · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Craig Kennedy Stories by Arthur B. Reeve.
Chapter 1
Craig Kennedy's Theories
Craig Kennedy and Walter Jameson discuss the need for a professorship in criminal science. Kennedy argues that science has a distinct place in crime detection, citing European advancements, and declares his intention to apply scientific methods to solving crimes. He tells Jameson that he will need his help as an aide, promising him a scoop for his newspaper.
Chapter 2
The Silent Bullet
Craig Kennedy and Walter Jameson discuss the importance of scientific crime detection and collaboration with the police. Kennedy demonstrates his expertise by solving a murder using blood analysis. They then investigate the mysterious death of Kerr Parker, a Wall Street broker, who was shot with a silent bullet. The case involves a note, a motor-coat, and a suspicious partner, James Bruce, who is forced to sell his holdings by a financial syndicate.
Chapter 3
The Scientific Cracksman
Craig Kennedy and Walter Jameson are drawn into the mysterious death of steel magnate John G. Fletcher. Though initially reported as apoplexy, Kennedy learns from Fletcher's nephew, Professor Jack Fletcher, that the old man's will is missing from his safe, which was cleverly opened with an electric drill. Kennedy, posing as a nerve specialist, investigates the case, using a novel method of comparing tire tracks to identify a suspect's automobile. He also plans to interview Miss Helen Bond, Fletcher's grandniece, suspecting she knows more about the crime than she lets on.
Chapter 4
The Bacteriological Detective
Kennedy and Jameson are discussing modern criminal methods when a veiled woman, Eveline Bisbee, arrives in a state of hysteria. She reveals that her guardian, oil magnate Jim Bisbee, died of typhoid fever, and that a series of servants at his estate have also been stricken. She suspects foul play, especially after learning that a new will has been made that leaves her fortune to a trust fund controlled by his lawyer, James Denny, if she dies without children. Kennedy takes the case, and after investigating Bisbee Hall, he discovers that a cook, Bridget Fallon, has left and may be connected. He orchestrates a plan to gather fingerprints and have all suspects present at his laboratory for a final confrontation.
Chapter 5
The Deadly Tube
Kennedy presents his findings in the Close-Gregory case, demonstrating that the X-ray burns were not caused by Dr. Gregory's treatments but by a deliberate act of sabotage. Using a microphone hidden in the room, he exposes a conversation between Close and his lawyer, Lawrence, revealing their plot to frame Gregory and their scheme to divorce Mrs. Close. The chapter also includes visits to Dr. Gregory's X-ray lab and to Mrs. Close in the hospital, where Kennedy gains permission to investigate further.
Chapter 6
The Seismograph Adventure
Dr. James Hanson, the coroner's physician, visits Craig Kennedy and Walter Jameson to discuss the Vandam case, a triple puzzle of suicide, murder, or sudden death. Mrs. Vandam, a wealthy banker's wife, died after taking a capsule from a prescription that was later found to contain a lethal dose of morphine and atropine. Kennedy's investigation reveals that the prescription was originally given by a medium, Mrs. May Popper, who, with her manager Howard Farrington, had gained control over Henry Vandam. Kennedy uses ink analysis and a seismograph to expose Mrs. Popper as the murderer, who had substituted a deadly capsule in the pillbox and had attempted to destroy the evidence. She is arrested for the murder of Mary Vandam and the attempted murder of Henry Vandam.
Chapter 7
The Diamond Maker
Craig Kennedy is consulted by Mr. Andrews of the Great Eastern Life Insurance Company about the suspicious death of Solomon Morowitch, a wealthy jeweller, and the bizarre robbery of his safe, which had a hole burned through its chrome steel. Kennedy investigates, discovering a connection to a chemist named Poissan and a potential deal involving a diamond-making secret. He plans a demonstration at Poissan's laboratory, setting up a trap with Andrews and his men to catch the culprit.
Chapter 8
The Azure Ring
Craig Kennedy and Walter Jameson are drawn into the mysterious deaths of Laura Wainwright and John Templeton, found dead in the Wainwright library on the eve of their wedding. The case is complicated by conflicting theories of accident, suicide, or murder. Kennedy dismisses the press coverage and begins his own investigation, uncovering connections to a mining claim, a lapis lazuli concession, and past relationships involving Vanderdyke and Mrs. Ralston. He plans a demonstration to reveal the true poison and gather key witnesses.
Chapter 9
Spontaneous Combustion
Craig Kennedy and Walter Jameson are summoned to Camp Hangout in the Adirondacks after the mysterious death of Lewis Langley, whose body was found partially burned to ashes with no evidence of fire. The investigation reveals family tensions over the estate and a suspicious will. Kennedy's scientific approach uncovers the truth, leading to a confrontation with James Langley, who attempts to destroy the will but is stopped.
Chapter 10
The Terror in the Air
Craig Kennedy and Walter Jameson investigate the mysterious crashes of Norton's aeroplanes at an aviation meet, which have already killed two men. Norton, facing financial ruin and public scorn, is determined to fly himself to prove his gyroscope invention is sound. Kennedy suspects sabotage and devises a test: he has Norton fly without the gyroscope and dynamo while he monitors the airwaves from the grandstand roof with an ondometer. The wireless operator reports being jammed by powerful, unknown interference, and Kennedy's instrument detects the source of the Hertzian waves, pointing toward the field.
Chapter 11
The Black Hand
Craig Kennedy and Walter Jameson investigate a Black Hand extortion case involving the opera singer Signor Gennaro, whose daughter has been threatened with kidnapping. The case involves a poisoned milk sample containing ricin, and Kennedy uses a dictograph to eavesdrop on the criminals' meeting place.
Chapter 12
The Artificial Paradise
Jameson bursts into Kennedy's apartment with news about a revolution in Vespuccia and finds Kennedy with a client, Miss Guerrero. She explains that her father, a revolutionary agent, has mysteriously disappeared after a large sum of money captured from the government went missing. Kennedy and Jameson investigate, following a lead to Señor Torreon, who was the last to see Guerrero. They discover that Torreon had been using mescal buttons to keep Guerrero under his influence, intending to leave him to die and steal the money. Kennedy revives Guerrero, proving his innocence and revealing Torreon's scheme.
Chapter 13
The Steel Door
Inspector O'Connor recruits Craig Kennedy to help raid the Vesper Club, a high-class gambling establishment protected by a three-inch steel door. Kennedy uses an oxy-acetylene blowpipe to cut through the door, leading to the arrest of the gamblers, including Senator Danfield. Kennedy then reveals the roulette wheel was electrically rigged, explaining to Percival DeLong that he never had a fair chance.
