The Dermott news., 1915-04-29


seen in mechanical pencils used in
Kennedy examined the thing with
interest.
What is ito" asked.
"A new kinograph." he replied
still gazing carefully at the rolled
up part of the paper. Il have In
stalled it because it registers every
footstep on the floor of our apartment.
We can't be too careful with this
Clutching Hand want to know
whether we have had any visitors or
not in our absence This straight line
indicates tina we have not. Wait
moment
Craig hastily unlocked the door and
entered Inside | could see him pae.
ing up and down our modest quarters.
DO you see anything, Walter"
he called
| looked nj the kiuograph The
pen had started to trace its line, no
longer even aud straight. but zis2ag.
at different heights across the paper
He came to the eoor. What do you
think Of it, e inquired
Some idea l answered euthasi-
astically.
We entered and fell to work on a
special Sunday story that had been
forced to neglect. was not So busy,
however. that did not notice out Of
the corner OF my eye that Kennedy
had taken from is cover Elaine
podge's picture and was gazing AT il
rayenously.
had finished as much OF the article
as could do then and was smoking
and reading il over Kennedy was
still gazing at the picture Miss Dodge
had given him. then moving from place
to place about the room. evidently
doubt whether he had done another
blessed thing since we returned.
He tried it on the mantel That
wouldn't do At last he held 1t UP be-
side a picture OF Cation. ! think. OF
finger print and eugeniCs fame. who
hung on the wall directly opposite the
fireplace Hastily he compared the
two. FLAMES picture was precisely
the same size.
Next he tore out the picture OF the
scientist and threw 1t carelessly into
the fireplace. Then he placed Elaiue's
picture in its place and hung It up
again, standing of to admire it.
watched him gleetuIly. Was this
Craig? Purposely moved my elbow
suddenly and pushed book with Il
bang on the floor Kennedy actually
jumped l picked up the book with a
muttercd apology No. this was not
the same old Craig.
Perhaps half an hour later was still
reading Kennedy was now pacing up
and down the room. apparently unable
to concentrate his mind on any but
one subject.
He stopped a moment before the
photograph. looked at it tiXedly Then
he started hts methodical walk again.
phone. calling number which rec
ognized
she must have been pretty we'll
done up by he. experience" he said
alphabetically. catching my eye. 4
was wondering n-hello,-oh. Miss
Dodge-l-er-l-er-just called up to
see II you were all right"
Craig vas very much embarrassed.
but also very much IN earnest.
A musical laugh rippled over the
telephone. Yes. I'm all right. thank
YOU, Mr. Kennedy-and put the pack.
age YOU sent me into the safe. but"
Package" frowned Craig. Why. |
sent YOU no package. Miss Dodge In
the safe"
why. yes. and the safe is all GOV.
cred with moisture-and SO cold"
"Moisture-cold2' he repeated
hastily
Yes. have been wondering If it is
all right In fact. was going to call
you up. only was afraid you think
was foolish"
Il shall be right over" he answered
hastily, clapping the receiver back on
its hook. Walter" he added, seizing
his hat and coat. come on-hurry!"
a few minutes later we drove up in
a taxi before the Dodge house and
rang the bell
Jennings admitted us sleepily.
II could not have been long after we
left Miss Dodge. late in the afternoon.
that Susie Martin, who had been quite
worried over our long absence after
the attempt TO rob her father. dropped
in on Elaine. Wide-eyed. she had lis
tened TO Elaine's story OF what had
happened
And you think this Cmtching Hand
has never recovered the discriminating
papers that caused him to murder
your father" asked Susie
Elaine shook her head NO. Let me
show you the new safe I've bought.
Mr. Kennedy thinks It wonderful"
Il should think you'd be proud OF IT,"
admired Susie. Il must tell father to
get one. too
At that very moment ~ thev had