The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-25
Continued

On 1t was small dark discolora-
kion, around which was a slight red
ness and tenderness.
That" he said slowly. is the
mark of a hypodermic needle
AS he finished examining Elaine's
arm he drew the letter from mis- pock-
et. Still facing her he said in low
tone, Miss Dodge-you did write this
letter-bst under the influence of the
new twilight Sleep
why. Craig" l exclaimed excited
1y, what do you mean?"
Exactly what l say. With Miss
Dodge's permission shall show you,
hng me that you don't want me to con-
kinue investigating your fathers death,
and not to try to see you again
about"
He stopped. l could hear the reply,
"Why-no-Mr. Kennedy, l have
written you no letter.
The look of mingled relief and sur.
hrise that crossed Craig's face spoke
volumes.
Miss Dodge" he almost shouted.
-this is new trick of the 'Clutching
bland I'LL be right over
Craig hung up the receiver and
turned from the telephone. Evidently
he was thinking deeply. Suddenly his
face seemed to light up He made up
his mind to something, and a moment
hater he opened the cabinet-that in
Iexhaustible storehouse from which he
eeemed to draw weird and curious in
struments that met the ever new prob
bems which his strange profession
brought to him.
watched curiously. He took out a
bottle and what looked like a little
hypodermic syringe, thrust them into
his pocket and, for once, oblivious to
my very existence, deliberately walked
Iout of the laboratory.
did not propose to be thus cava-
lierly dismissed. l suppose it would
have looked ridiculous tc third par
ty, but followed him as hastily as il
he had tried to shut the door on his
lown shadow.
We arrived at the corner above the
Dodge house just in time to see anoth-
Ter visitor-Bennett-en
And, Perry" we heard Elaine say,
as we were ushered in. someone has
leven forged my name-the handwrit-
ling and everything-telling Mr.. Ken
lnedy to drop the case-and l never
knew"
She stopped as we entered.
That's the limit" exclaimed Ben.
Just then the 'Clutching Hand ap-
peared. He came stealthily through
that window, which he had opened A
moment he hesitated, seeing Elaine
asleep. Then he tiptoed over to the
bed, let us say, and for a moment
looked at her, sleeping.
A second later he had thrust his
hand into his pocket and had taken out
a small glass bulb with a long thin
neck. That was ethyl chloride-a
drug which produces a quick anesthe
sia. But it lasts only minute or two.
That was enough. AS he broke the
glass neck of the bulb-letting the
pieces fall on the floor near the bed
he showed the thing under Elaine's
face, turning his own head away and
holding handkerchief over his own
nose. The mere heat of his hand is
enough to cause the ethyl chloride to
spray out and overcome her instantly.
He steps away from her a moment and
replaces the now empty vial in his
pocket.
Then he took a box from his pocket,
opened it. There must have been a
syringe and bottle of scopolamin.
Where they came from l do not know,
but perhaps from some hospital.
shall have to find that out later. He
went to Elaine, quickly jabbing the
needle, with no resistance from her
now. Slowly he replaced the bottle
and the needle in his pocket He
could not have been in any hurry now,
for 1t takes time for the drug to
work"
Kennedy paused. Had we known at
the time, Michael-he of a sinister
face-must have been in the hallway
that night, careful that no one saw
him. A tap at the door and the
"Clutching Hand" must have beckoned
him. A moments parley and they sep
arated-"Clutching Hand going back
to Elaine, who was now under the in
fiuence of the second drug.
Our criminal" resumed Kennedy
thoughtfully, may have shaken
Elaine. She did not answer. Then he
may have partly revived her. She
must have been startled. 'Clutching
Hand perhaps, was half crouching,
with big ugly blue steel revolver
leveled full in her face.
lone word and l shoot!' he prob
ably cried Get up!'
Trembling, she must have done SO.
Your slippers and a kimono,' he
would naturally have ordered She
put them on mechanically. Then he
must have ordered her to go out of
the door and down the stairs. Clutch
ing Hand must have followed, and as
he did so he would have cautiously put
out the lights"
We were following, spellbound, Ken
nedy's graphic reconstruction of what
must have happened. Evidently he
had struck close to the truth. Elaine's
eyes we're closed. Gently Kennedy led
her along. Now. Miss Dodge" he en-