Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-03-27

down the street.
Wait here" called Kennedy to Aunt
Josephine, as he stepped with me on
the running board of the cab go on,
Rusty; good dog!"
1t seemed miles that we went, but
at last we came to a peculiarly de-
serted looking house. Here Rusty
turned in and began scratching at the
door We jumped off the cab and fol-
lowed.
The door was locked when we tried
it, and from inside we could get no an
swer. We put our shoulders to it and
burst it in. Rusty gave leap forward
with joyous bark.
We followed more cautiously. There
were pieces of armor strewn all over
the floor, Rusty shifted at them and
looked about, disappointed, then
howled.
looked from the armor to Kennedy
in blank amazement
Elaine was kidnapped-in the ar
NOR" he cried
He was right. Meanwhile, the ar
NOR repairers had stopped at last at
this apparently deserted house,
strange sort of repair shop. Still keep
ing it wrapped in blankets, they had
taken the armor out of the wagon and
had laid it down on an old broken
bed. Then they had unwrapped 1t and
taken off the helmet.
There was Elaine!
Ssh! What's that" cautioned one of
the men.
They paused and listened. Sure
enough, there was sound outside.
They opened the window cautiously.
A dog was scratching on the door, en-
deavoring to get in. 1t was Rusty.
Il think it's her dog" said the man,
turning. WED better let him In.
Someone might see him"
The other nodded and a moment
later the door opened and in ran
Rusty. Straight to Elaine he went.
starting to lick her hand.
"Right-her dog" exclaimed the 9th
er man, drawing gun and hastily lev
cling it at Rusty.
Don't cautioned the first. at would
make too much noise. You'd better
choke him.
The fellow grabbed for Rusty Rusty
was too quick. He jumped. Around
the room they ran Rusty saw the
window-and his chance.
Out he went and disappeared, leaving
the man swearing at him.
A moments argument followed, then
they wrapped Elaine in the blankets
alone, still bound and gagged, and car
ried her out.
In the secret den the Clutching Hand
was waiting, gazing now and then at
his watch, and then at the wounded
man before him. In a chair his first
sat, watching Doctor Martin.
A knock at the door caused them to
urn their heads. The crook opened it,
md in walked the other crooks who
lad carried off Elaine In the suit of
lrmor.
Elaine was now almost conscious, as
hey sat her down in a chair, and part
y loosed her bonds and gag. She ,
,azed about, frightened.
"Oh, help! help" she screamed, as
he caught sight Of the now familiar ,
mask Of the Clutching Hand. {
Call all you want-here, young
ady," he laughed unnaturally.
Nov, doc" he added harshly to {
DOCTOR Martin. 1T was she who shot
i'm. Her blood must save him" 1
Doctor Martin recoiled at the '
bought of torturing the beautiful {
Dung girl before him.
"Are-you willing-to have your 1
lood transfused?" he parleyed. U
mo, no, moi" she cried in horror.
Doctor Martin turned to the des-
crate criminal. 81 cannot do it." Il
"The deuce you can't" T
A cold steel revolver pressed down h
4 Doctor Martins stomach.
The other crooks next carried Il
laine, struggling, and threw her y
own beside the wounded man. ,
Doctor Martin, still covered by the I
In, bent over the two, the hardened
'iminal and the delicate, beautiful n
H. Clutching Hand glared fiendish- 7,
, insanelyI
From his bag he took little piece -
something that shone like silver. :,
A moment later, Doctor Martin n
oked up at the Clutching Hand and
,dded, We'll, it's working!"
All were now bending over the two.
Doctor Martin bent closest over IL
aine. He looked at her anxiously, o
1t her pulse, watched her breathing, II
en- pursed up his lips. u
This is--dangerous," he ventured,
,zing askance at the grim Clutching II
and. 'e
Cant help it." came back laconical- -.
and relentlessly. u
The doctor shuddered. - III
The man was veritable vampire. 81
Outside the deserted house, Kennedy tn
d l were looking helplessly about. tn