Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1915-06-25

| SeeIneu 10 pOSSeSS tne man as ne
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 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 II you watch me
again--Tll kill you'll"
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 II 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 1t carefully, feeling where
the wires entered and left 1t, and
starting to trace them out. At last
he came to point where 1t seemed
suitable to make 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 1t
as though seeking something. Then
he bent down beside II and uncovered
little tank.
He thrust his hand gingerly into 1t,
bringing it out quickly. The tank was
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 op.
poslte 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 his
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 Elaines constant companion
since the trouble had begun, awakened
his mistress by licking her hand as II
hung Imply over the side of her
bed.
She awakened with start and put
her hand to her head. She felt Ill.
Poor old fellow" she murmured
half dazedly.
Rusty moved away again. wagging
his tail listlessly. The collie, too, felt
i'll.
why, Miss Elaine-what ees &c
mattair? You are so pale!" exclaimed
the maid, Marie, as she entered the
room a moment later with the morn
ings mail on a salver.
II don't feel well, Marie" she re.
piled, trying with her slender white
hand to brush the cobwebs from her
brain. Il wish you'd tell Aunt 10
sephine' to telephone Doctor Hay.
ward"
Yes, mademoiselle," answered
Marie.
Languidly Elaine took the letters
one by one off the salver.
Finally she selected one and slow.
ly tore 1t open. 1t had no superscrip.
ton, but 1t at once arrested her at.
tention and transfixed her with ter.
ror.
II read
"You are sick this morning. To.
morrow you will be worse. The next
day you will die unless you discharge
Craig Kennedy"
II was signed with the mystic trade
mark OF the fearsome Clutchine
Hand!
Elaine drew back into the pillows
horror stricken.
Quickly she called to Marie. "Go
get Aunt Josephine-right away!
And Marie almost flew down the
hall. Elaine seized the telephone ant
J called Kennedy's number.
} Kennedy. in his stained laboratory
} apron, was a work before his table
while | was watching him with inter
est, when the telephone rang.
Without a word he answered the
: call, and ! could see a look of per
turbation cross his face. / knew II
was from Elaine, but could tell moth
, ing about the nature of the message
: An instant later he almost tore of
} the apron and threw on his hat and
coat. ! followed him as he dashed
: out OF the laboratory.
This is terrible--terrible." he NUT
, tered, as he hurried across the campu!
, of the university TO taxicab stand.
A few minutes later, when we ar
rived at the Dodge mansion, we founC