The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-29

From q small aperture In the door
way looked out another face, equally
evil. Under cover, the crook made
the sign Of the Clutching Hand twice
and was admitted.
That's the place. all right" whis-
pered Kennedy with satisfaction. He
hurried to a telephone booth. where
he called several numbers. Then we
returned to the laboratory.
From the table he picked up a
small coil over which I had seen him
working and attached 1t to the bell
and some batteries. He replaced It
on the table. while I watched curl
ously.
"A selenium CELL" he explained.
"Only when light falls on 1t does 1t
become q good conductor Of electrici-
ty. Then the bell will ring"
Just before making the connection
he placed his hat over the cell. Then
he lifted the hat. The light fell on
1t and the bell rang. He replaced the
hat and the bell stopped.
Just then there came q knock at
the door. I opened 1t.
Hello, Chase" greeted Kennedy.
well. I've found the new headquar-
ters all right--over on the West side. "
Kennedy picked up the selenium
cell and q long coil OF fine wire,
which he placed in bag. Then he
took another bag already packed, and.
shifting them between US, we hurried
downtown.
Near the vacant lot, back Of the
new headquarters. was an old broken
down house. Through the rear Of II
We entered.
I started back In astonishment as
we entered and found eight or ten
policemen already there. Kennedy
had ordered them to be ready for a
raid, and they had dropped in one at
a time without attracting attention.
We'll, men," he greeted them, 81
see you found the place all right
Now, in a little while Jameson will
return with two wires. Attach them
to the bell which I will leave here.
When it rings, raid the house. jane
son will lead you to it. Come, Wal
ter" he added. picking up the bags
- .
Ten minutes later, outside the new
headquarters, crouched-up figure,
carrying a small package, his face
hidden under his soft hat and up
turned collar, could have been seen
Sinking along until he came to the
steps. in -t,D
He went up and peered through the
aperture of the doorway. Then he
rang the bell. Twice he raised his
hand and clenched it in the now IA
miliar clutch.
A crook inside saw it through the
aperture and opened the door. The
figure entered and almost before the
door was shut tied the masking hand
kerchief over his face, which hid his
identity from even the most trusted
lieutenants. The crook bowed to the
chief. who, with a growl as though of
recognition. moved down the hall.
AS he came to the room from which
Slim had been sent on his mission,
the same group was seated in the
thick tobacco smoke.
"You fellows clear out,v he growled.
II want to be alone"
"The old man is peeved," muttered
one. outside, as they left.
The weird figure gazed about the
room to be sure that he was alone.
When Craig and left the police he
had given me most minute instruc-
tions which l was now following out
to the letter.
II want you to hide there" he said.
indicating barrel back of the house
next to the hangout. When you see a
wire come down from the headQuar.
ters. take 1t and carry it across the
lot to the old house. Attach 1t to the
bell; then wait. When 1t rings, raid
the Clutching Hand Joint"
I waited what seemed to be an In
terminable time back of the barrel.