The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-02-25

From the Otn0r n005 Martin, FOL.
lowed BY the police and the detec.
tires. burst in.
Fire" cried one OF the policemen.
leaping back to turn In an alarm from
the special apparatus upstairs.
AL except Martin began beating out
the flames, using such weapons ~
they already held IN their hands to
batter down the door.
To Martin there was one thing para.
mount the Jewels.
In the midst OF the confusion. Elaine.
closely followed by her friend. Susie,
made herfway tearlsssly into the stitie
OF smoke down the stairs.
There are your Jewels, Mr.. Martin.
cried Kennedy, kicking the precious
burlaps bag with bis foot 40 II It had
been so much ordinary merchandise,
and turning toward what was in his
mind the most important thing At
stakethe direction taken by the
agents Of the Clutching Hand.
Thank heaven CALCULATED Martin.
fairly bouncing on the bag and tearing
IT open. They didn't get awcy with
them-after ALT" he exclaimed, exam.
lining the contents with satisfaction.
( Events were moving rapidly.
The Limousine had been standing in.
nocently enough at the. curb near the
corner. with the taxicabs close be:
hind It.
Jaaa then en-, ..ia,,t.. .f+.,. @1,n,,
had entered. three well-dressed men
came out Of the. vacant shop. appar.
emily from the tailors above, and
climbed leisurely into their, car
AS the last one entered. he half
turned to the taxicab driver, hiding
from passers.by the sign Of the Clutch.
ing Hand, which the taxicab Criver re-
. turned In the same manner. Then the
big car whirled up the avenue.
AN this we learned later from a
street sweeper who wastat work near
by. Il
Down below, while the police and
detectives were putting out the IRE,
Kennedy was examining the wall Of
the cellar. looking for the spot where
the; crooks had escaped.
"A secret door," he exclaimed. as
he paused after tapping alonl; the wall
to determine It's character ..You can
see how the force OF the explosion has
loosened IT."
Sure enough, when he pointed It out
to us, It was plainly visible. One OF
the detectives picked up a Gro wbarand
Others, still with the hastily selected
implements they had seized to fight
the IRE, started in to pry it open.
AS 1t yielded Kennedy rushed his
way through: Elaine, always utterly
fearless. followed. Then the rest OF
us went through.
There seemed to: be nothing, how.
ever, that would help us in the cellar
next door. and Kennedy mounted, the
steps ola stairway In the rear.
The stairway led to a sort Of store
room, full of barrels and boxes, but
otherwise characterless When Il ar
rived Kennedy was eingerly holding
up the smocks which the crooks had
worn. s
We're on the right trail" comment.
ed Eaire as he showed them to her,
"but where do you suppose the own.
ers are?' ii
Craig shrugged his shoulders and
gave quick look about. Evidently
they came In from ana went away by
the street" he observed, hurrying to
the door, followed by Elaine.
On the sidewalk, he gazed up the
avenue. then catching. sight OF the
street cleaner. called to him, 81
Yes, sor, replied the man, stolidly.
looking up from his work. II see three
giptlemen come out and get into an
automobile" 4
(Which way did they go." asked
Kennedy.
For answer the man jerked his
thumb over his shoulder In the general
direction uptown.
With keen glance, Kennedy strained
his eyes. Far up the avenue he could
descry the car threading its way in
and out among the others, Just about
disappearing.
+ A moment later Craig caught sight
Of the vacant taxicab and crooked his
Hnger at the driver, who answered
promptly by cranking his engine
You saw that Limousine standing
here?" asked Craig.
YES" nodded the chauffeur, with a
show Of alertness.
We'll, follow it, ordered Kennedy,
jumping into the cab.
YES, sir"
Craig was just about to close the
door when slight figure flashed past
us and a dainty foot was placed on the
step. 4, 2s3
Please, Mr.. Kennedy pleaded
Elaine; 'let me 60. They may, lead to
my fathers slayer"
She said It SO earnestly that Craig
could scarcely have resisted If he had
wanted to do so.- 4:
Just as Elaine and Kennedy we're
moving of I came out OF the vacant
store, with Bennett and the detectives.
"Craig!r 4 cried. Where are you
going?"
Kennedy stuck his head out OF the