The L'Anse sentinel., 1915-06-12

As--- 49,. ~ $1,000 = - ,---, ~ -
'Eirel" cried one Of the policemen.
leaping back TO turn In an alarm from
the special apparatus upstairs.
All except Martin began beating out
the flames. using such weapons ~
they already held In their hands to
batter down the door.
TO Martin there was one thing para
mount the jewels.
In the midst of the confusion. Elaine.
closely followed BY her friend. Susie.
made her way fearlessly into the stide
OF smoke down the stairs.
There are your Jewels. Mr.. Martin"
cried Kennedy, kicking the precious
burlap bag with his foot az II It had
been 80 much ordinary merchandise.
and turning toward what was In his
mind the most important thing at
stake-the direction taken by the
agents of the Clutching Hand.
Thank heaven!" calculated Martin.
fairly pouncing on the bag and tearing
Il open. "They didn't get away with
them-after ALL" he exclaimed. exam
lining the contents with satisfaction.
Events were moving rapidly.
The limousine had been standing in
nocently enough at the curb near the
corner. with the taxicab close be-
hind it.
Less than ten minutes after they
had entered, three well-dressed men
came out Of the vacant shop, appar-
emily from the tailors above. and
climbed leisurely into their car.
As the last one entered. he half
turned to the taxicab driver. hiding
from passers-by the sign of the Clutch
ing Hand, which the taxicab driver re-
turned in the same manner Then the
big car whirled up the avenue.
All this we learned later from a
street sweeper who was at work near
by.
Down below, while the police and
detectives were putting out the fire,
Kennedy was examining the wall Of
the cellar. looking for the spot where
the crooks had escaped.
"a secret door!" he exclaimed, as
he paused after tapping along the wall
to determine its character. you can
see how the force Of the explosion has
loosened It."
Sure enough, when he pointed It out
to US, It was plainly visible. One OF
the detectives picked up a crowbar and
others, still with the hastily selected
implements they had seized to fight
the fire. started in to pry 1t open.
As It yielded Kennedy rushed his
way through; Elaine. always utterly
fearless. followed. Then the rest of
us went through.
There seemed to be nothing, how
ever, that would help us in the cellar
next door, and Kennedy mounted the
steps of stairway in the rear.
The stairway led to a sort of store
room, full Of barrels and boxes, but
otherwise characterless. When I ar
rived Kennedy was gingerly holding
up the smocks which the crooks had
worn.
Were on the right trail" comment
ed Elaine as he showed them to her.
but where do you suppose the own
ers are?"
Craig shrugged his shoulders and
gave q quick look about. Evidently
they came in from and went away by
the street." he observed. hurrying to
the, door, followed by Elaine.
~ A-
avenue, then catching sight of the
street cleaner. called to him
Eyes. sor." replied the man, stolidly,
looking up from his work. II see three
gintlemen come out and get into an
automobile"
(Which way did they got" asked
Kennedy.
For answer the man jerked his
thumL over his shoulder In the general
direction uptown.
With keen glance. Kennedy strained
his eyes. Far up the avenue he could
descry the car threading Ns way in
and out among the others, just about
A moment later Craig caught sight
of the vacant taxicab and crooked his
finger at the driver, who answered
promptly by cranking his engine.
'You saw that limousine standing
here?" asked Craig.
'Yes." nodded the chauffeur, with q
show Of alertness.
''well. follow IT," ordered Kennedy.
Jumping into the cab.
''Yes, SIR"
Craig was Just about to close the
door when q slight figure flashed past,
US and q dainty foot was placed on the
step.
'Please. Mr.. Kennedy" pleaded
Elaine, '1et me go. They may lead to
my fathers slayer"
She said 1t so earnestly that Craig
could scarcely have resisted II he had
wanted to do so.
Just a. Elaine and Kennedy were
moving on i came out of the vacant
store; with Bennett and the detectives.
"Craig!" I cried. Where are you
going?"
Kennedy stuck his head out Of the
window, and am quite sure that he
was not altogether displeased that
was not with him