Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-06-11

lucy are StrdnSnng Iue!
The effect was terrinc.
Clutching Hand and Dan, hardened
in crime as they were, fell pack
dazed, overcome tor the moment al
the startling effect.
They looked about Not a soul.
Then, to their utter CONSERVATION
from the helmet again came the deep
vibrant warning.
Help! Murder! Police!"
Kennedy and had been listening
over the vocaphone, for the moment
nonplused at the fellows daring.
Then we heard from the uncanny
instrument: For Heavens sake,
Chief. hurry. The Falsers have fallen
down. The girl herself Is coming!"
What 1t meant we did not know. But
Craig was almost beside himself. as
he ordered me to get the police by tel.
ephone, II there was any way to block
them. Only instant action would count,
however. What to do?
We could hear the master Grim.
inal plainly fumbling now.
Yes. that's the Clutching hand" he
repeated.
Wait" cautioned. someone else
is coming!"
BY sort of instinct he seemed to
recognize the sounds.
"Elaine!" he exclaimed, paling.
Instantly followed, in less than I
can tell it. the sounds Of a suppressed
shufi1e.
He has seized her-gagged her."
/ cried In an agony Of suspense.
We could now hear everything that
was going on in the library. Craig
was wildly excited. As for me. I was
speeches.. Here was the vocaphone
we had installed. 1t had warned us.
But what could we do?
I looked blankIy at Kennedy. He
was equal to the emergency.
He calmly turned the switch.
Then. at the top of his lungs he
shouted: Help! Help! Police! They
are strangling mel"
looked at him in amazement What
did he think he could do-blocks
away?
1T works both ways" ne muttered.
Help! Murder! Police!"
We could hear the astonished ours.
ing OF the two men. Also, down the
hall, now. we could hear footsteps ap-
preaching in answer to his call for
help-Aunt Josephine, Jennings, Marie
and others, all shouting out that there
were cries in the library.
The deuce! What is it," muttered
a gruff voice.
The man in armor!" Kissed Clutch.
ing Hand.
Here they come, too. Chief"
There was a parting scufie.
There-take that"
"A loud metallic ringing came from
the vocaphone.
Then silence!
What had happened?
In the library, recovering from their
crock Of surprise. Dan cried out to
the Clutching Hand. "The deuce!
What is it?'
Then looking about, Clutching
Hand quickly took in the situation.
The man in armor!" he pointed
,ut.
Dan was almost dead with fright
It the weird thing.
Here they come. too, Chief" he
sasped. as. down the hall he could
hear the family shouting out that
someone was in the library.
With a parting thrust, Clutching
Hand sent Elaine Keeling.
She held on to only a corner of the
'apers. He had the greater part of
hem. They were torn and destroyed.
anyway.
Finally, with all the nervousness
II which he was capable. Clutching
Hand rushed at the armor suit, drew
Jack his gloved fist, and let it shoot
ut squarely in a vicious solar plexus
low.
There-take that" he roared.
The suit ratified furiously. Out of
spilled the vocaphone, with a bang
n the floor.
An instant later those in the hall
ushed in. But the Clutching Hand
nd Dan were gone out of the win.
ow, the criminal carrying the greater
art Of the precious papers.
Some ran to Elaine, others to the
'fndow. The ladder had been kicked
way, and the criminals were gone.
Gaping into the waiting car, they had
cen whisked away.
Hello! Hello! Hello!" called q
oice. apparently from nowhere.
What is that?" cried Elaine.
She had risen by this time, and was
azing about, wondering at the strange
oice. Suddenly her eye fell on the
'mor scattered all over the floor.
he spied the little oak box.
"Elaine!"
Apparently the voice came from
lat. Besides 1t had a familiar ring
her ears. Q
"Yes-Craig!" she cried.
THAT is my vocaphone-the little
X that hears and talks" came back
her. Are you all right?"
"Yes-an right-thanks to the voca-
lone."
She had understood in an instant.
he seized the helmet and breastplate
which the vocaphone still was at
ched and was holding them close to
'rself.
Kennedy had been calling and lis
ming intently over the machine. won
ring whether 1t had been put out Of /