The L'Anse sentinel., 1915-06-26

DoSAnVo " RSDScoo sAA~ AAsse~ - -
stood over the prostrate footman.
cursing.
"Get upI" he ordered.
Michael obeyed. thoroughly cowed.
Take me to the cellar. now" he
demanded.
Michael led the way from the room
without protest. the master criminal
following him closely.
Down into the cellar, by q back
way. they went, Clutching Hand still
wearing his muzzle and Michael say
ing not q word.
Suddenly Clutching Hand turned on
him and seized him by the collar.
"Now. go upstairs, you." he NUT
tered. shaking him until his teeth
fairly chartered, "and II you watch me
again-I'll kill you'll"
He thrust Michael away, and the
footman. overcome by fear. hurried
upstairs. Still trembling and fearful.
Michael paused In the hallway.
He put his hand on his face where
the Clutching Hand had struck him.
Then he waited. muttering to himself.
As he thought 1t over, anger took the
place Of fear. He slowly turned in
the direction Of the cellar.
Meanwhile, Clutching Hand was
standing by the electric meter. He
examined It carefully. feeling where
the wires entered and left II, and
starting to trace them out At last
he came to . point where II seemed
suitable to make q connection for
some purpose he had in mind.
Quickly he took some wire from his
bag and connected 1t with the electric
light wires. Next, he led these wires,
concealed. of course. along the cellar
door. In the direction Of the furnace.
The furnace was one of the old hot
air heaters and he paused before II
rs though seeking something. Then
he bent down beside It and uncovered
q little tank.
He thrust his hand gingerly into II,
bringing It out quickly. The tank was
nearly full Of water.
Next from his capacious bag be
took two metal poles. or electrodes
and fastened them carefully to the
ends of the wires, placing them at op
posite ends Of the tank in the water
For several moments he watched
The water inside the tank seemed the
same as before. only on each cleo
trode there appeared bubbles. on one
bubbles of oxygen, on the other oi
hydrogen. The water was decompos
ing under the current by !electrolysis
Another moment he surveyed his
work to see that he had left no loose
ends. Then he quietly let himself
out OF the house.
The next morning Rusty. who had
been Elaine's constant companion
since the trouble had begun. awakened
his mistress by licking her hand as II
hung Imply over the side Of hel
bed.
She awakened with q start and put
her hand to her head. She felt Ill.
Poor old fellow" she murmured
half dazedly.
Rusty moved away again. waggine
his tail listlessly. The collie. too. felt
Ill.
why. Miss Elaine-what ees q
mattair? You are 80 pale!" exclaimed
the maid. Marie, as she entered the
room q moment later with the morn
ing's mail on q salver.
II don't feel well. Marie" she 70
piled, trying with her slender white
hand to brush the cobwebs from hel
brain. 81 wish you'd tell Aunt 10
sephine to telephone Doctor Hay
ward"
"Yes. mademoiselle." answered
Marie.
Languidly Elaine took the letters
one by one on the salver.
Finally she selected one and slow.
ly tore It open. It had no superscrip.
ton, but 1t at once arrested her at.
tention and transfxed her with ter.
ror.
It read:
"You are sick this morning. To.
morrow you will be worse. The next
day you win die unless you discharge
Craig Kennedy"
It was signed with the mystic trade
mark of the fearsome Clutchins
Hand!
Elaine drew back into tho pillows,
horror stricken.
Quickly she called to Marie. "Go
get Aunt Josephine-right awayi
And Marie almost Jew down the
hall. blaine seized the telephone and
called Kennedy's number.
-
Kennedy, In his stained laboratory
apron. was at work before his table
| while was watching him with inter
est. when the telephone rang.
Without . word he answered the
call, and I could see . look OF per
| turbation cross his, face. knew Il
va from Nlaine. but could tell moth
| ing about the nature Of the message
An instant later he almost tore on
| he apron and threw on his hat and
oont / followed him a he dashed
out Of the laboratory.
Ihis u terrible -terrible," he NUT
torod, . ho hurried across the campus
6 ~ un1yor1fly y Z taxieab aqtand.
= ~ minutes later. when W 9
~ 1qel z q : .!.slea y: 4 - fOen: