Professor Craig Kennedy is a scientist detective at Columbia University. He uses his knowledge of chemistry and psychoanalysis to solve cases, and uses exotic devices in his work such as lie detectors, gyroscopes, and portable seismographs.

"The Exploits of Elaine" tells the story of a young woman named Elaine who, with the help of a detective Craig Kennedy, tries to find the man, known only as "The Clutching Hand", who murdered her father.

"The Romance of Elaine" is the sequel of the story of Elaine and Professor Kennedy who, this time, get involved in a conflict with Wu Fang, the master of "The Clutching Hand".