The hummer. (Houston, Miss.) 1914-19??, 1915-07-02

From the other side Martin. FOL
lowed BY the police and the deteo-
lives, burst In.
"Firel" cried one Of the policemen,
leaping back to turn IN an alarm from
the special apparatus upstairs.
All except Martin began beating out
the flames. using such weapons as
they already held IN their hands to
batter down the door.
To Martin there was one thing para
mount-the jewels.
In the midst Of the confusion. Elaine.
closely followed BY her friend. Susie,
made her way fearlesaly into the slide
Of smoke down the stairs.
"There are your jewels, Mr.. Martin.
cried Kennedy. kicking the precious
buriap bag with his foot as n II had
been 30 much ordinary merchandise,
and turning toward what was in his
mind the most important thing at
stake-the direction taken BY the
agents OF the Clutohlng Hand.
Thank heaveni" calculated Martin,
fairly bouncing on the bag and tearing
Il open. They didn't get away with
them-after all" he exclaimed, exam
ming the contents with satisfaction.
Events were moving rapidly.
The limousine had been standing In
nocently enough at the curb near the
corner, with the taxicab close be-
hind It.
Less than ten minutes after they
had entered. three well-dressed men
came out Of the vacant shop, appar-
entity from the tailors above. and
climbed lelsurely into their car.
As the last one entered, he half
turned to the taxioab driver, hiding
from passers-by the sign Of the Clutch
ing Hand, which the taxioab driver re-
turned in the same manner. Then the
big car whirled up the avenue.
All this we learned later from a
street sweeper who was at work near
by.
Down below, while the police and
detectives we're putting out the fire,
Kennedy was examining the wall Of
the cellar, looking for the spot where
the crooks had escaped.
"A secret doorl" he exclaimed, as
he paused after tapping along the wall
to determine its character. you can
see how the force Of the explosion has
loosened IT,"
Sure enough, when he pointed It out
to us, It was plainly visible. One Of
the detectives picked up a crowbar and
others, still with the hastily selected
implements they had seized to fight
the IRE, started in to pry It open.
As It yielded Kennedy rushed hia
way through; Elaine, always utterly
fearless, followed. Then the rest Of
us went through.
There seemed 20 be nothing, how.
ever, that would help us in the cellar
next door, and Kennedy mounted the
steps Of a stairway In the rear.
The stairway led to a sort Of store
room, fun OF barrels and boxes, but
otherwise charaoterless. When ! ar
rived Kennedy was gingerly holding
up the smooks which the crooks had
worn.
'We're on the right trail" comment.
ed Elaine as he showed them to her
but where do you suppose the own
ers are?"
Craig shrugged his shoulders and
gave a quick look about. Evidently
they came in from and went away by
the street." he observed, hurrying tc
the door, followed by Elaine,
On the sidewalk he gaEed up the
avenue, then catching sight Of the
street cleaner, called TO him.
Eyes, sor," replied the man, stolldly
looking up from his work. Il see three
gintlemen come out and get into an
automobile"
(which way did they go9" asked
Kennedy.
For answer the man jerked his
thumL over his shoulder in the general
direction uptown.
With keen glance, Kennedy strained
HIS eyes. Far up the avenue he could
descry the car threading its way IN
and out among the others, Just about
disappearing.
A moment later Craig caught sight
Of the vacant taxicab and crooked his
finger at the driver, who answered
promptly by cranking his engine.
'You saw that limousine standing
here?" asked Craig.
'Yes," nodded the chauffeur, with {
show Of alertness.
well, follow IT," ordered Kennedy
jumping into the cab.
Eyes, sir"
Craig was Just about to close thu
door when a slight figure flashed pas
US and a dainty foot was placed on thu
step.
'Please, Mr.. Kennedy" pieade,
Elaine, 'let me go. They may lead 4
my fathers slayer"
She said It so earnestly that Grail
could scarcely have resisted II he ha'
wanted to do so.
Just as Elaine and Kennedy wer
moving on came out OF the vacan
I .tr,.s. NTH EQonunAt and fhr dnfnntfvne