The Dickinson press., 1915-06-05

asked the clerk. Hill
mo-" came back the reply, the
watch Mr.. Bennett bought is still here
being regulated M
Kennedy hung up the receiver. He
was stunned.
"Thes watch win 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 Missed, II 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!" ,,,--rz 4fI.
Craig advanced, furious. AS he did
30 Clutching Hand pointed calmly to
the clock. It was twenty minutes Of
three! .
With a mental struggle Kennedy
controlled his loathing Of the creature
before him. ILL,
"All right-but you'll hear from
MISSIONER 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 soma
steamship wharves not far away.
"Quick!" he ordered, giving the
Dodge address on Fifth avenue. t}t?
Minute after minute the police and
waited. Was anything wrong2
Where was Craig? ..'
Just then a tremor grew into q
tinkle, then came the strong burr of
the bell. Kennedy needed us. II
With a shout Of encouragement to
the men I dashed out and over to the
old house. .ri
Meanwhile 'Clutching Hand himself
had approached the table to recover
his weapon and had noticed the queer
little selenium cell. IA
"The deuce!" he cried. "He's
planned to get me anyhow!" ~
Clutching Hand rushed to the door
then stopped short. Outside he could
hear the police and myself.
Clutohing Hand slammed shut his
door and pulled down over 1t a heavY
wooden bar. Ill
At the desk he paused and took out
p piece Of cardboard. Then, with q
heavy matchmaking pencil, he calmly
printed on it, while we battered at the
b%arricaded door, a few short feet away
He laid the sign on the desk, them
on another piece of cardboard, drew
crudely a 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 a pull. It opened up-his get
away.
He closed it with a sardonic smile
in u direction, just as the door
crashed in.
We looked about. There was not a
soul in the room, nothing but the sele
hium 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 onl
the fiat top was a sign:
Dear BIockheads:
Kennedy and ! couldn't walt.
Then came that mysterious sign Of
the Clutching Hand.
We hunted over the rooms, butt
could find nothing that showed a clue.
Where was Clutching Hand? Where
was Kennedy? i
In the next house Clutching Hand
had literally come out Of an upright
piano into the room corresponding to
that he had left. Hastily he threw of.
his handkerchief, SLOUGH 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 a frock coat followed.
AS he put the finishing touches on.
ne looked for all the world like q be-
foreigner.
At the door of the new Headquarters.
q few seconds later, I stood with the
Not a sign Of him anywhere"
growled one Of the officers. !
. . IA
Elaine was sitting in the library
reading when Aunt Josephine turned
to her. n
What time is 1t, dear?" she asked.
. Elaine glanced at her pretty new
trinket.
Nearly three, Auntie-just a couple
Of minutes" she said. s,
Just then there came the sound Of
feet running madly down the hallway
They jumped up, startled Rla " /.
Kennedy his coat flying and hat
gammed over his eyes, had almost
over poor Jennings In his mad
race down thefhall.
WELL" demanded Elaine haughtily,
whats"
Before she knew what was going ON
Craig hurried up to her and literally
tipped the watch OF her wrist, break
Ing the beautiful bracelet.