The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-04-21
Not a SOUND from the ben.

hunchedup figure stood by the table.
He had taken his hat off and placed it
carefully on the table and was now
waiting.
Suddenly noise at the door startled
him. He listened. Then he backed
away from the door and drew a revolt
yer.
As the door slowly opened there en-
tered another figure. hat over his eyes,
collar up, a handkerchief over his
face, the exact counterpart of the
first!
For a moment each glared at the
other.
Hands up!" shouted the first fig
ure, hoarsely, moving the gun and
closing the door with his foot
The newcomer slowly raised his
crooked hand over his head. as the blue
steel revolver gaped menacingly.
With quick movement of the other
hand the first sinister figure removed
the handkerchief from his face and
Strengthened up.
1t was Kennedy
Come over to the center of the
ROOM" ordered Kennedy.
Clutching Hand obeyed, eyeing his
captor closely.
Now lay your weapons on the ia
BILE"
He tossed down a revolver.
The two still faced each other.
Take off that handkerchief"
1t was 4 tense moment. Slowly
| Clutching Hand started to obey. Then
he stopped. Kennedy was just about
to thunder, 60 on" when the criminal
calmly remarked, You've got ME- all
right, Kennedy. but in twenty minutes
Elaine Dodge will be dead!"
He said it with a nonchalance that
might have deceived anyone less as
tute than Kennedy. Suddenly there
flashed over Craig the words: THE
TRICK WILL BE PULLED OFF AT
THREE O'CLOCK"
There was no fake about that. Ken
nedy frowned menacingly. If he
killed Clutching Hand, Elaine would
die. If he fought he must either kill
or be killed. If he handed CIutching
Hand over Elaine was lost. He looked
at his watch. 1t was twenty-five min
utes Of three.
What do you mean-tell me?" de-
manded Kennedy with forced calm.
Yesterday Mr.. Bennett bought a
wrist watch for Elaine" the Clutching
Hand said quietly. They left it to
be regulated One of my men bought
one just like it. Mine was delivered
to her today"
"a likely story" doubted Kennedy.
For answer the Clutching Hand
merely pointed to the telephone.
Kennedy reached for it.
"One thing" interrupted the Clutch
ing Hand. You are a man of honor.
"Yes-yes. Go on"
eff tell you what to do. you must
promise to give me fighting chance
Yes, yes"
Call up Aunt Josephine, then. Do
just as l say"
Covering Clutching Hand, Kennedy
called a number. This is Mr.. Ken.
nedy, Mrs. Dodge. Did Elaine receive
a present of a wrist watch from Mr.
Bennett?"
YES" she replied, "for her birth.
day. 1t came this forenoon"
Kennedy hung up the receiver and
faced the Clutching Hand, puzzled as
the latter said: Call up Martin, the
jeweler."
Again Kennedy obeyed.
HAS the watch purchased for Miss
Elaine Dodge been delivered?" he
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.
1.-The watch will cause her death at
three o'clock" said the Clutching
Hand. Swear to leave here without
discovering my identity and 1 will tell
you how. You can save her, In that
watch" he Kissed, Il have set poi
soned needle in a spring that will be
released and will plunge it into her
arm at exactly three o'clock. On the
needle is ricinus!"
Craig advanced, furious. AS he did
so Clutching Hand pointed calmly tc
the clock. 1t was twenty minutes OF
threei
With a mental struggle Kennedy
controlled his loathing of the creature
before him.
"All right-but you'll hear from
me-sooner than you suspect" he
shouted, starting for the door.
Then he came back and lifted hi:
hat, hiding as much as possible the
selenium cell, letting the light fal
on it.
only Elaine's life has saved you.
With a last threat he dashed out
He hailed cab, returning from some
steamship wharves not far away.
"Quick!" he ordered, giving the
Dodge address on Fifth avenue.
Minute after minute the police anC
} waited. Was anything wrong
Where was Craig?
| Just then a tremor grew into ;
. tinkle, then came the strong burr o
the bell. Kennedy needed us.
; With a shout of encouragement t.
} the men l dashed out and over to tn,
} old house.
: Meanwhile Clutching Hand himsel
had approached the table to recove
: his weapon and had noticed the quee
> little selenium cell.
2 "The deuce!" he cried He
: planned to get me anyhow"
5 Clutching Hand rushed to the door
l then stopped short. Outside he coul
e hear the police and myself.
( Clutching Hand slammed shut hi
door and pulled down over 1t a heav
4 wooden bar.
J., At the desk he paused and took GU
e | piece of cardboard. Then, with
heavy matchmaking pencil. he calml
!. printed on it, while we battered at-th
harricaded door. a few short feet away
d He laid the sign on the desk, the
on another piece of cardboard, drey