The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1915-07-08

fully. pretending now to be on guard.
Clutching Hand opened the door
and, still wearing the muzzle, beck
oned to Michael Michael could
scarcely control his fears. But he
obeyed, entering Elaine's room after
the Clutching Hand, who locked the
door
Were you watching me?" demand
ed the master criminal, with rage.
Michael. trembling all over, shooF
his head. For moment Clutching
Hand looked him over disdainfully
at the clumsy lie.
Then he brutally struck Michael in
the face, knocking him down. An un-
governable, almost insane fury
seemed to possess the man as he
stood over the PROSTATE footman,
cursing.
Get up!" he ordered.
Michael obeyed, thoroughly cowed.
Take me to the cellar, now" he
demanded
Michael led the way from the room
without a protest, the master criminal
following him closely.
Down into the cellar, by a back
way, they went, Clutching Hand still
wearing his muzzle and Michael say
ing not word.
Suddenly Clutching Hand turned on
him and seized him by the collar.
Now, go upstairs, you," he NUT
tered, shaking him until his teeth
fairly chartered, land if you watch me
again--Tll kill your
He thrust Michael away, and the
footman, overcome by fear, hurried
upstairs. Still trembling and fearful,
Michael paused in the hallway.
He put his hand on his face where
the Clutching Hand had struck him.
Then he waited, muttering to himself.
AS he thought it over, anger took the
place of fear. He slowly turned in
the direction of the cellar.
Meanwhile, Clutching Hand was
standing by the electric meter. He
examined it carefully, feeling where
the wires entered and left it. and
starting to trace them out. At last
he came to a point where it seemed
suitable to make a connection for
some purpose he had in mind.
Quickly he took some wire from his
bag and connected it with the electric
light wires. Next, he led these wires,
concealed, of course, along the cellar
floor. in the direction of the furnace,
The furnace was one of the old hot
air heaters and he paused before it
as though seeking something. Then
he bent down beside it and uncovered
little tank.
He thrust his hand gingerly into it,
nearly full of water
Next from his capacious bag he
took two metal poles, or electrodes,
and fastened them carefully to the
ends of the wires, placing them at OPP
posite ends of the tank in the water.
For several moments he watched.
The water inside the tank seemed the
same as before, only on each cleo
trode there appeared bubbles, on one
bubbles of oxygen, on the other of
hydrogen. The water was decompos-
ing under the current by electrOlysis.
Another moment he surveyed mis-
work to see that he. had left no loose
ends. Then he quietly let himself
out of the house.
The next morning Rusty, who had
been Elaine's constant companion
since the trouble had begun, awakened
his mistress by-licking her hand as it
hung Imply over the side of her
bed.
She awakened with start and put
her hand to her head. She felt i'll.
Poor old fellow" she murmured,
half dazedly.
Rusty moved away again, wagging
his tail listlessly. The collie, too, felt
ILL.,
why, Miss Elaine-what ees re
mattair? You are SO pale!" exclaimed
the maid, Marie, as she entered the
room moment later with the morn
ings mail on a salver.
Il don't feel we'll, Marie" she re-
piled, trying with her slender white
hand to brush the cobwebs from her
brain. II wish you'd tell Aunt Jo-
sephine to telephone Doctor Hay
ward"
Eyes, mademoiselle," answered
Marie
Languidly Elaine took the letters
one by one off the salver.
Finally she selected one and slow
ly tore it open. 1t had no superscrip-
| ton but 1t at once arrested her at