The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-05-07

Eldlne DouEe peen u6iNefeul ne
asked the clerk.
"No," came back the reply, "the
watch Mr.. Bennett bought is still here
being regulated"
Kennedy hung up the receiver. he
was stunned.
"The watch will cause her death az
three o'clock" said the Clutching
Hand Swear 10 leave here without
discovering my identity and | will tell
you how. You can save her! In that
watch" he hissed, u have set a poi
soned needle In a spring rhat will be
released and will plunge Il into her
arm at exactly three o'clock, On the
needle 10 ricinus!"
Craig advanced, furious. AS he did
so Clutching Hand pointed calmly 10
the clock. II was twenty minutes Of
three!
With a mental struggle Kennedy
controlled his loathing Of the creature
before him.
"All right-but you'H hesr 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 rho
selenum cell, letting the lisht tall
on H.
"Only Elaine's life has saved you "
With last threat he dashed out.
He hailed a cab. returning from some
steamship wharves not far away
"Quick!" he ordered. giving the
Dodge address on Fifth avenue.
Minute after minute the police and
] waited. Was anything wrong?
Where was Craig?
Just then a tremor grew into a
tinkle, then came the strong burr OF
the bell Kennedy needed us.
With a 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. Hes
planned to get me anyhow"
Clutching Hand rushed to the door
then stopped short. Outside he could
hear the police and myself
Clutching Hand slammed shut his
door and pulled down over 1t a heavy
wooden bar.
At the desk he paused and took out
a piece of cardboard. Then, with
heavy black-marking pencil, he calmly
printed on it, while we battered at the
barricaded door, fsw short feet away.
He laid the sign on the desk, then
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. 1t opened up-his get
away.
He closed it with a sardonic smile
in our direction, just as the door
crashed in.
We looked about. There was not a
soul in the room, nothing but the sele-
mum cell, the chairs, the desk.
Look" l 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 BIockheads:
Kennedy and couldn't wait.
Then came that mysterious sign of
the Clutching 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 he threw Of
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 or
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, dear?" she asked,
Elaine glanced at her pretty new
trinket.
Nearly three, Auntie-iust 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
jammed over his eyes, had almos;
bowled over poor Jennings in his mad
race down the hall.
We'll" demanded Elaine haughtily
what's"
Before she knew what was going OF
Craig hurried up to her and literally
ripped the watch off her wrist, break
ing the beautiful bracelet.
He held it up, gingerly. Elaine waL
speechless. Was this Kennedy? Wa
he possessed by such an inordinate
jealousy of Bennett?
AS be hold tho watch nm tho saoODy