The Springdale news., 1915-03-12

stood over the prostrate footman. cursing.
 Get up!" he ordered.
 Michael obeyed, thoroughly eowed.
 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 Clutehing Hand turned on him and seized him by the collar.
 Now, go upstairs, you" he nut tered, shaking him until his teeth fairly chattered, and if you watch me again-Ill kill you."
 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 point where it seemed suitable to make connection for 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 it as though seeking something Then he bent down beside it and uncovered little tank.
 He thrust his hand gingerly into it, bringing it out quickly. The tank was nearly full of water
 Next from his eapaeieus bag he took two metal poles, or electrodes,
  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 of 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 it hung Imply over the side of her bed
 She awakened with a start and put her hand to her head. She felt i'll
 Poor old fellow" she murmured. half dazedly.
 Rusty moved away again, wagging his tail listlessly. The collie, too, felt i'll
 Why, Miss Elaine-what ees ze mattair? You are so pale.' exclaimed the maid, Marie, as she entered the room a moment later with the morn ing's mail on salver.
 T don't feel we'll, Marie" she re- piled. trying with her slender white hand to brush the cobwebs from her brain. II wish you'd tell Aunt Jo- sephine to telephone Doctor Hay ward
 Yes, mademoiselle.' answered Marie
 Languidly Elaine took the letters one by one off the salver
 Finally she selected one and slow ly tore it open. It had no superscrip- tion, but 1t at once arrested her at- tention and transfixed her with ter TOT.
 It read:
 You are sick this morning To- morrow you will be worse. The next day you will die unless you discharge Craig Kennedy"
 It was signed with the mystic trade. mark Of the fearsome Clutching Hand,
 Elaine drew back into the pillows. horror stricken.
 Quickly she called to Marie. "Go get Aunt Josephine-right away! And Marie almost flew down the hall. Elaine seized the telephone and called Kennedy's number.
 
 Kennedy, in his stained laboratory apron, was al work before his table, while I was watching him with inter- est, when the telephone rang
 Without a word he answered the call, and 1 could see a look of per- turbation cross his face. I knew it was from Elaine, but could tell noth- ing about the nature of the message. An instant later he almost tore off the apron and threw on his hat and coat. I followed him as he dashed out of the laboratory. j This is charlottesville" he nut.