davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-10

Craig Reached Down and Gently
thing. and said so. Craig" objected
vehemently. don't go to meet him.
1t is a trap"
Kennedy had evidently considered
my objection already.
1T may be a trap he replied slow
ly, but Elaine is dying and we've got
to see this thing through"
AS he spoke, he took an automatic
from drawer of a cabinet and thrust
it into his pocket. Then he went to
another drawer and took out several
sections of thin tubing, which seemed
to be made to fasten together as
fishing pole is fastened, but were now
separate, as if ready for travelling.
Then he went out. l followed, still
arguing.
IF you go, l CO." 1 capitulated.
That's all there is to it."
Following the directions that MI
chael had given over the telephone,
Craig led me into one of the toughest
parts of the lower West side.
Here's the place." he announced,
stopping across the street from a
dingy Raines law hotel.
Pretty tough" objected. Are you
sure?"
Quite replied Kennedy, consulting
his notebook again.
Reluctantly l followed and we en-
tered the place.
Il want a ROOM" asked Craig as
we were accosted by the proprietor,
comfortably clad in a loud checked
suit and striped shirt sleeves. Il had
one here once before-forty-nine
think"
Fifty" l began to correct.
Kennedy trod hard on my toes.
yes, forty-nine," he repeated.
The proprietor called a stout negro
porter. waiter and bell-hop all COM
bined in one, who led us upstairs.
"Forty-nine, sah," he pointed out,
as Kennedy dropped a dime into his
ready palm.
The negro left US, and as Craig
started to enter, l objected. But
Craig, it was fifty-nine, not forty-nine
This is the wrong room"
81 know it," he replied 81 had il
written in the book But want forty
nine-now. Just follow me, Walter.
Nervously followed him into the
room.
Don't you understand" he wen
on. Room forty-nine is probably jus
the same as ifty-nine, except perhaps
the pictures and furniture, only it is
on the floor below"
He gazed about keenly. Then he
| took a few steps to the window and
threw it open. AS he stood there he
took the parts of the rods he had beer
carrying and fitted them together un
til he had a pole some eight or ter
feet long. At one end was a curious
arrangement that seemed to contain
lenses and a mirror. At the Other
end was an eye-piece, as nearly as
could make out.
''What is that?" asked as he com
The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-10

pleted his work.
That? That is an instrument
something on the order of miniature
work.
sourcefulness. He stealthily thrust
the mirror end of the periscope out
of the window and up toward the cor
responding window upstairs. Then he
gazed eagerly through the eye-piece.
''Walter-look!" he exclaimed to
me.
did. There, sure enough, was Mi
chael, pacing up and down the room.
AS 1 looked at him nervously walk
ing to and fro, could not help ad-
hitting that things looked safe enough
and all right to me. Kennedy folded
the periscope up and we left our
room, mounting the remaining fight
of stairs.
measured steps of the footman. Craig
knocked. The footsteps ceased. Then
the door opened slowly and l could
see cold blue automatic.
Its all right, Michael" treasured
Craig calmly. "All right, Walter" he
added to me.
The gun dropped back into the foot
mans pocket. We entered and Mi
chael again locked the door. Not a
word had been spoken by him so far.
| Next Michael moved to the center
of the room and, as l realized later,
brought himself in direct line with the
open window. He seemed to be over
come with fear at his betrayal and
stood there breathing heavily.
Professor Kennedy" he began, 81
have been so mistreated that / have
made up my mind to tell you all
know about this Clutching@"
Suddenly he drew a sharp breath
and both his hands clutched at his
own breast. He did not stagger and
fall in the ordinary manner, but
seemed to bend at the knees and
waist and literally crumple down OF
his face.
We ran to him. Craig turned hin
over gently on his back and examined
him. He called. No answer. Michae
was almost pulseless.
Quickly Craig tore of his collar and
barred his breast, for the man seemed
to be struggling for breath As he die
so he drew from Michaers throat {
small, sharp-pointed dart.
What's that?" 1 calculated, horror
stricken.
"A poisoned blowgun dart, such al
is used by the South American In
dians on the upper Orinoco,'' he saiC
slowly.
He examined it carefully
What is the poison?" asked.
"Curari," he replied simply. at act
on the respiratory muscles, paralyzint
them and causing asphyxiation."
The dart seemed to have been mad
of quill with very sharp point, hol
low. and containing the deadly poison
The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-10

Clutching Hand opened the door
and, still wearing the muzzle, beck
oned to Michael Michael could
scarcely control his fears. But he
obeyed, entering Elaine's room after
the Clutching Hand, who locked the
door.
Were you watching me?" demand
ed the master criminal, with rage.
Michael, trembling all over, SHOOK
his head. For a moment Clutching
Hand looked him over disdainfully
at the clumsy lie.
Then he brutaIly struck Michael in
the face, knocking him down. An I'M
goyernable, almost insane fury
seemed to possess the man as he
stood over the PROSTATE footman,
cursing.
Get up!" 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 a back
way, they went, Clutching Hand still
wearing his muzzle and Michael say
| ing not a 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, land if you watch me
again-Ill 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 it 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 it, and
starting to trace them out. At last
he came to a point where it seemed
| some purpose he had in mind.
Quickly he took some wire from his
bag and connected it with the electric
light wires. Next, he led these wires
concealed, of course, along the cellar
floor, in the direction of the furnace
The furnace was one of the old hot
air heaters and he paused before II
as though seeking something Then
he bent down beside it and uncovered
a little tank.
He thrust his hand gingerly into it
bringing it out quickly. The tank was
nearly full of water.
Next from his capacious bag hs
took two metal poles, or electrodes
and fastened them carefully to tn,
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 tn
same as before. only on each cleo
trode there appeared bubbles, on on
bubbles of oxygen, on the other o
hydrogen. The water was decompoi
ing under the current by electrolysii
Another moment he surveyed hi
work to see that he had left no Ioos
ends. Then he quietly let himsei
out of the house.
The next morning Rusty, who ma
been Elaine's constant companio
since the trouble had begun, awakene
his mistress by licking her hand as
hung Imply over the side Of he
bed
The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-10
oeeu, as tnar desperate haunt known

oeeu, as that desperate haunt known
as Grants tomb.
But to return to the more serious
side of the affair.
Kennedy and Elaine had scarcely
come out of the house and descended
the steps, one afternoon, when sinis-
ter face appeared in basement area
way near by
1t was the Clutching Hand.
He wore telephone inspectors hat
and coat and carried a bag slung by a
strap over his shoulder. For once he
had left off his mask, but, in place of
it, his face was covered by scraggy
black beard. The disguise was effec-
tive.
He saw Kennedy and Miss Dodge
and skunk unobtrusively against a
railing, with his head turned away.
Laughing and chatting, they passed.
Then he turned in the other direc-
ton and, going up the steps of the
Dodge house, rang the bell.
Telephone inspector" he said in a
loud tone as Michael, in Jennings
place for the afternoon, opened the
door
He accompanied the words with the
sign, and Michael admitted him.
AS it happened, Aunt Josephine was
upstairs in Elaine's room. She was
fixing flowers in a vase on the dress.
ing table of her idolized niece. Mean.
while, Rusty, the collie, lay, half blink
ing, on the floor.
who is this?" she asked, as Mi
chael led the bogus telephone inspec
tor into the room.
"a man from the telephone com
pany." he answered deferentially.
Aunt Josephine, unsophisticated, al
lowed them to enter without further
question.
Quickly, like a good workman
Clutching Hand went to the telephone
instrument and by dint of keeping hii
finger on the hook and his back tt
Aunt Josephine succeeded in convey
| ing the illusion that he was examining
| it.
No sooner was the door shut thar
the Clutching Hand hastily opened his
bag and from it drew a small powder
spraying outfit, such as l have seer
used for spraying bug powder. HI
then took out a sort of muzzle witt
an elastic band on 1t and slipped il
over his head SO that the muzzle pro
tected his nose and mouth.
He seemed to work sort of pump
ing attachment and from the nozzle o
the spraying instrument blew out /
/ cloud of powder which he directed a
| the wall
Meanwhile. Michael, in the hallway
on guard to see that no one bothere'
the Clutching Hand at his work, wa
overcome by curiosity to see what hi
master was doing. He opened tn
door little bit and gazed stealthil,
through the crack into the room.
Clutching Hand was now sprayin
the rug close to the dressing table o
Elaine and was standing near the mil
ror. He stopped down to examine tn
rug. Then. as he raised his head, b
happened to look into the mirror. l
it he could see the full reflection G
Michael behind him. gazing into tn
room.
The scoundrel!y muttered Clutci
Ing Hand. with repressed fury at tn
discovery.
He rose quickly and shut on tn
spraying instrument, stufing it int
the bag. He took step or two towar
the door. Michael drew back. fea1
fully. pretending now to be on guar.
The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-10
FIFTH EPISODE
The Poisoned Room.

Elaine and Craig were much togeth-
er during the next few days. Some
how or other, it seemed that the chase
of the Clutching Hand involved long
conferences in the Dodge library, and
even, in fact, extended to excursions
into the notoriously crime-infested
nelghborhood of Riverside drive. with
Its fashionable procession of automo-
biIes and go-carts-as far north in
The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-10

IN the sharpened emu.
Look outl" I cautioned, as he
handled it.
"Oh. that's all right" he answered
casually. IF don't scratch myself,
am safe enough I could swallow the
stun and it wouldn't hurt me-unIess
had an abrasion of the lips or some
internal cut"
Kennedy continued to examine the
dart untn suddenly I heard low ex-
clamation of surprise from him. In
side the hollow quill was a thin sheet
of tissue paper, tightly rolled. He
drew it out and read:
"To know me is Death.
Kennedy-Take Warning
Underneath was the inevitable
Clutching Hand sign.
We jumped to our feet Kennedy
rushed to the window and slammed it
shut, while I seized the key from Mi
chael's pocket, opened the door and
called for help.
A moment before, on the roof of a
building across the street, one might
have seen a bent, skulking figure.
His face was copper colored and on
ted hair. He looked like a South
American Indian, in very dilapidated
suit of CASTOR American clothes.
He had slipped out through a door
way leading to a fight of steps from,
the root to the hallway of the teneI
ment. and, like one of his native VEN
omous serpents, worked his way down
the stairs again.
My cutlery brought a veritabIe bat
TALON of aid. The hotel proprietor
the negro waiter and several others
dashed upstairs. followed shortly byI
a portly policeman.
Craig took the policeman into his
confidence, showing him the dart and
explaining about the poison. The on
Ger stared blankly.
Il must get away, too" hurried on
Craig. Officer, l will leave you to
take charge here. You can depend on
me for the inquest"
The officer nodded.
Come on. Walter whispered
Craig, eager to get away, then adding
| the one word, "Elainei"
1 followed hastily, not slow to IN
derstand his fear for her.
Nor were Craig's fears groundless.
In spite of ali that could be done for
her. Elaine was still in bed, much
weaker now than before.
More than that, the Clutching Hand
had not neglected the opportunity
either.
Suddenly, Just before our return, a
stone had come hurtling through the
window, without warning of any kind
and had landed on Elaine's bed.
Below, as we learned some time aft
erwards, a car had drawn up hastily
and the evil-faced crook whom the
Clutching Hand had used to rid him
self of the informer, "Limpy Red" had
leaped out and hastily hurled the
stone through the window, as quick
ly leaping back into the car and
whisking away.
Around the stone was wrapped {
piece of paper on which was the ON
nous warning, signed as usual by the
Hand:
Michael is dead
Tomorrow, you.
''Then Kennedy.
"Stop before it is too late"
Elaine had sunk back into her pill
lows, paler than ever from this sec
ond shock.
1t was just then that Kennedy ant
1 arrived and were admitted.
"Oh, Mr.. Kennedy" cried Elaine
handing him the note.
Craig took it and read. Mis-
/ Dodge" he said, as he held the not
! out to me, you are suffering from al
! senic poisoning-but don't know ye
, how it is being administered.
He gazed about keenIy. Meanwhile
, had taken the crumpled note from
! him and was reading it Somehow.
! Continued on Page
The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-10

Mos disfiguring skin eruptions, scrof-
ula, pimples, rashes, etc. are due to
impure blood. Burdock Blood Bitters
as cleansing blood tonic. is well recon-
mended. sl.OO a all stores. adv. mar
Itchin piles provoke profanity but pro-
family won't remove them. Doan's
Ointment is recommended for itching,
bleeding or protruding piles. SOC at any
drug store. adv. mar
The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-10
Hair Work.

BraIds, transformations and other
pieces made from combings. Scalp
Office 2o7 w. Main street. Phone 545.
4-G-1 Mrs. Maud Mackey Walker.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-05-13
MT. HOLLY

Not having seen any news from oul
vicinity for long time. you may think
we have been taken from the map, but
now you shall hear from US.
We are having fine weather, only 8
little cool.
The farmers are busy planting corn
H. M. Rumbaugh sold fine lot Of
cattle last week.
Mrs. John Myers is slowly recovering
after long illness.
Mrs. Charles Franrz returned home
from the hospital in Cumberland very
much improved.
Miss Tudie Humberson is in Pitts.
burgh at this writing.
Alfred and Floyd WEIGH, of Friends.
vile, spent Sunday at Asa Humber.
sons.
Several of the young people of this
vicinity went to Selbysport Sunday
evening for Mothers Day service. All
report good time.
Mr.. and Mrs. E. r. Irwin, theil
little son Wayne and infant daughter,
of Thomas, w. Va, are paying an ex.
tended visit to the latter's parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. John Myers.
j. c. Myers, after spending the win.
ter as teacher of Eagle Rock school,
near Blaine. W. Va. is home again
He reports very pleasant winter.
Mrs. Louisa Fike, OF Asher Glade,
spent Sunday in our vicinity.
Elijah F. Myers has purchased the
Fred farm, also a tract of land from
Asa HENDERSON.
Sunday school every Sunday at $780,
Everybody welcome.
Subscribe for the Republican.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-05-13

on the condition that those in de facto
control of the government must be re-
lieved of that control be relieved of
that control before Mexico can realize
her manifest Destiny"
The quotation is from the same man
who at one time placed an embargo on
the shipment of arms and ammunition
from the United States into Mexico
and, in pursuance of his invariably
policy, later raised the embargo and
permitted the shipment of arms to one
fraction or the other in the Mexican
revolution.
The vacilliation of the Wilson ad-
ministration is not only written in the
records of the United States, but is
recorded in the official correspondence
of foreign countries.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-05-13

THIS week The Republican devotes
several columns to items of special
interests to the citizens of Garrett
county, furnished by officials of the
Garrett County Board of Trade and the
Garrett County FAIR Association.
Both of these organizations have for
their object the best interests of Garrett
county. The first named association is
making an effort to let the Nation know
that Garrett county exists, that it is a
great summer resort region, that it
has homes for industrious and moral
people.
Garrett county and Its possibilities
ought to be made known to the out side
world, hence The Republican publishes
the articles furnished weekly.
The citizens of the county should back
US in this effort to advertise the county,
by subscribing for the paper for their
family and by mailing it to their friends.
We know of no way to better boost the
county than to mail this paper to the
children away from home.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-05-13

In his uncomfortable speech at Gettys-
burg, President Lincoln appealed to his
countrymen to consecrate themselves to
the unfinished task that lay before
them; that ''goverement of the peo-
pie. by the people, and for the people,
might not perish from the earth. "
That task is unfinished, and it is the
duty of every citizen to carefully study
the principles of government. the
methods of government and issues as
they arise, and then give to his country
the benefits of his judgment and his
conscience. To this end he should not
only express himself at elections but
faithfully attend primaries and con-
ventions where candidates are chosen
and policies enunciated.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-05-13

Sunday afternoon Mr.. D. s. Custer,
of Friendsville, accompanied by the
venerable D. Harrison Friend, of Sang
Run, motored to Oakland and spent a
few inmates meeting acquaintance.
Mr.. Friend, well on toward the age of
ninetv-three, while feeble in body re-
tains an active and discerning mind and
takes an interest in the well-being of
his friends and neighbors. Others IN
the party were Mr.. Benz. F. Friend and
Mr.. Harry Custer.
Among those who called at the office
of the Garrett County Board of Trade
were: Theopolis George and Walter
Beckman, of Swanton; Clarence V.
Guard. of Friendsville, Edward H.
Smouse, of Deer Park; C. C. Beachy,
near Grantsville, Rev. Abraham L.
Sines, Swallow Falls, w. D. Hutson,
near Sunnyside, Judge Ramp, Accident,
James W. Gilpin, Cumberland, Ruther-
ford Stottlemyer, Maysville, William
Whorton, Oakland, Osborne Tasker
and Ohio Paugh, SWanton.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-05-13
GORTNER

Mr.. George A. Dewitt, wife and
little daughter returned to their home
in Oakland, after few days visit at
W. H. Smouse's.
Miss Bridget Maroney, of Oakland,
spent several days of the past week at
P. P. Gortner's.
W. F. Sanders, wife and three sons
spent Sunday at J. NJ. Conneway's on
the mountain.
Messrs. Harvey and Forrest Gortner
went to Clarksburg Saturday to visit
their sister, Mrs. Edward Bittinger.
Mr.. and Mrs. Simon Harshberger, of
Norfolk, Va, have been visiting rela-
tives in this vicinity and at Aurora,
W. Va, recently.
DR.. K. D. Becker has opened an of
fee at S. j. Lichty's. He already has
quite large practice, and will be glad
to have anyone call interested in his
line of work. He expects to be in this
vicinity two months or more.
j. H. Sanders has a force of men
working on the Aurora road from
Gortner to the w. Va. line. S. }.
Lichty's sons are on the road with their
engine and are doing good work
Artie Dodge spent several days re-
Gently near GAINESVILLE, w. Va.
Harvey Gortner and Mr.. Beachy
from Pennsylvania, motored six miles
beyond Davis, W. Va, and returned
home Wednesday.
Preaching services in the Union
church as follows: Saturday and Sun
day evening by the Mennonite Brethren;
also Sunday morning at 1920 by the
Dunkards. Sunday school at $50.
Everyone is invited to attend these
services.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-05-13
THE STAGGERING COST.

The European statlsticians are
amusing themselves and terrifying
those who will be called on to pay in
figuring out the cost of the horritic
conflict now going on. The totals ar
rived at are frightful to contemplate,
beyond the conception of ordinary in
telligence. The initial estimates put
the cost of the war at between S4O.-
900, 200 and $5O,OOO,OOO per day. But
later estimates, taking into account
lost wages, damage to property, etc.,
but excluding indirect damages, make
the total more terrifying. AS an ex.
ample, Mr.. Bryce, member of the
British parliament, estimates the cost