The Springdale news., 1915-04-23

WdlCH MI BeIHeIt bought IS StllI ner6 being regulated"
 Kennedy hung up the receiver. He was stunned
 The watch will cause her death at three o'clock" said the Clutching Hand Swear to leave here without discovering my identity and I will tell you how, You can save her. In that watch, he hissed T have set a poi. soned needle in a spring that will be released and will plunge 1t into her arm at exactly three o'clock On the needle Is ricinus,'
 Craig advanced, furious As he did so Clutching Hand pointed calmly 10 the clock. It was twenty minutes of three
 With mental struggle Kennedy controlled his loathing of the creature before him
 All right-but you'll hear from me-sooner than you suspect" he shouted. starting for the door.
 Then he came back and lifted his hat hiding as much as possible the selenium cell. letting the light fall on it.
 Only Elaine,s life has saved you"
 With a last threat he dashed out He hailed a cab returning from some steamship wharves not far away.
 "Quiekt9 he ordered, giving the Dodge address on Fifth avenue.
 Minute after minute the police and l waited. Was anything wrong? Where was Craig?
 Just. then tremor grew into tinkle, then came the strong burr Of the bell. Kennedy needed us.
 With shout of encouragement to the men dashed out and over to the old house
 Meanwhile Clutching Hand himself had approached the table to recover his weapon and had noticed the queer little selenium cell.
 The deuce!" he cried He's planned to get me anyhowi"
 Clutehing Hand rushed to the door then stopped short Outside he could hear the police and myself
 Clutehing Hand slammed shut his door and pulled down over it heavy wooden bar.
 At the desk he paused eRd took out piece of cardboard. Then, with heavy black-marking pencil, he calmly printed on it, while we battered at the barricaded door. few short feet away.
 He laid the sign on the desk, then on another piece of cardboard, drew crudely hand with the index finger pointing. This he placed on a chair, indicating the desk
 Just as the swaying and bulging door gave way. Clutching Hand gave the desk pull It opened up-his get away
 He closed 1t with a sardonic smile in our -direction,. just as the door crashed in.
 We looked about There was not soul in the room, nothing but the sele- nium cell, the chairs, the desk
 Look" I cried, catching sight of the index finger, and going over to the desk.
 We rolled back the top There on the fiat top was a sign Dear Blockheads:
 Kennedy and l couldn't wait.
 Then came that mysterious sign Of the Clutehing Hand
 We hunted over the rooms. but could find nothing that showed a clue. Where was Clutching Hand? Where was Kennedy?
 In the next house Clutching Hand had literally come out of an upright piano into the room corresponding to that he had left Hastily lie threw off his handkerchief slouch hat. old coat and trousers. A neat striped pair of trousers replaced the old, frayed and baggy pair. A new shirt then a sporty vest and frock coat followed
 As he put the finishing touches on he looked for all the world like a be- whiskered foreigner
 At the door of the new headquarters. a few seconds later, stood with the police
 Not a sign of him anywhere growled one of the officers
 
 Elaine was sitting in the library reading when Aunt Josephine turned to her.
 What time is it, dear2" she asked.
 Elaine glanced at her pretty new trinket
 Nearly three, Auntie-1ust a couple of minutes, she said.
 Just then there came the sound of feet running madly down the hallway. They jumped up. startled
 Kennedy his coat flying and hat damned over his eyes. had almost bowled over poor Jennings in his mad race down the hall
 We'll demanded Elaine haughtily, what's
 Before she knew what was going on Craig hurried up to her and literally ripped the watch off her wrist, break. ing the beautiful bracelet.
 He held it up, gingerly Elaine was speeches.. Was this Kennedy? Was hp nOcCpSsp6 ht