The Springdale news., 1915-03-05

tne center or the room, as II on guard, while Clutching Hand sat before the safe watching it intently.
 Someone at the door-Jennings is answering the bell" Michael whis. pered hoarsely.
 "Confound it," muttered Clutehing Hand, as both moved again behind the heavy velour curtains
 
 I'm so glad to see you, MT. Ken nedy, greeted Elaine unaffectedly as Jennings admitted us.
 She had heard the bell and was com ing downstairs as we entered We three moved toward the library and someone switched on the lights. Craig strode over to the safe. The cold sweat on 1t had now turned to icicles Craigs face clouded with thought as he examined it more close sound from within
 Tt can't be opened" he said to him self. The time lock is set for tomor row morning
 Outside, if We had not been so ab sorbed in the present. mystery We might have seen Michael and the Clutching Hand listening to us Clutching Hand looked hastily at his watch.
 The deuee" he muttered under his breath. stifiing his suppressed fury. We stood looking at the safe. Ken. nedy was deeply interested, Elaine standing close beside him. Suddenly he seemed to make up his mind. "Quiek-Elaine," he cried, taking her arm. Stand back"
 We all retreated The safe door, powerful as it was. had actually begun to warp and bend. The plates were bulging. A moment later, with a loud report and coneussion, the door blew of.
 blast of cold air and flakes like snow flew out. Papers were scattered on every side.
 We stood gazing, aghast, d second, ther ran forward Kennedy quickly examined the safe. He bent down and from the wreck took up a package, now covered with white.
 As quickly he dropped it.
 That is the package that was sent, :" cried Elaine.
 Taking it in table cover. he laid it on the table and opened 1t. Inside was peculiar shape flask, open at the top. but like a vacuum bottle
 "A DeWar flask" calculated Craig What is its' asked Elaine, appeal. ing to him.
 Liquid air" he answered AS it evaporated, the terrific pressure Of expanding air in the safe increased until il blew out the door That is what caused the cold sweating and the groans.
 We watched him. startled.
 On the other side of he portieres Michael and Clutehing Hand waited. Then, in the general confusion, Clutch. ing Hand slowly disappeared, foiled
 Where did this package come from?" asked Kennedy of Jennings suspiciously.
 Jennings looked blank
 Why" put in Elaine. Michael brought it to me-
 Get Michael ordered Kennedy.
 moment later he returned T found him, going upstairs" reported Jennings, leading Michael in.
 Where did you get this package. 2. shot out Kennedy.
 Tt was left at the door, sir, by a boy, sir
 Question after question could not shake that sin pie. etolid sentence Kennedy frowned
 You may go" he said finally, as fl reserving something for Michael later A sudden exclamation followed from Elaine as Michael passed down the hall again. She had moved over tc the desk. during the questioning, and was leaning against it.
 Inadvertently she had touched a~ envelope It was addressed, ~Cra.. Kennedy"
 Craig tore it open, Elaine bendins anxiously over his shoulder, frightene 1 We read:
 YOU HAVE INTERFEREI FOE THE LAST TIME. IT IS THE END. Beneath it stood the fearsome sieY of the Clutching Hand,
 
 The warning of the Clutching Hanf had no other effect on Kennedy thai the redoubling of his precautions fo safety Nothing further happened tha night. however. and the next mornin. found us early at the laboratory.
 It was the late forenoon, when. aft CT hurried trip down to the office, reioined Kennedy at his scientiff, workshop.
 We walked down the street when ; big limousine shot past Kenned, stopped in the middle of a remark. H. had recognized the car. with a sort O instinct
 At the same moment I saw smil ing face at the window of the car. | was Elaine Dodge
 The car stopped in something les, than twice it's length and then haclpf