The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-03-12

MOUNTING jewels.
In the midst OF the confusion, Elaine
closely followed by her friend, Susie
made her way fearlessly into the stin'
OF smoke down the stairs.
There are your jewels. Mr.. Martin.
cried Kennedy. kicking the precious
burlap bag with his foot as n II hat
been so much ordinary merchandise
and turning toward what was in his
mind the most important thing al
stake-the direction taken by the
agents Of the Clutching Hand.
Thank heaven!" calculated Martin
fairly pouncing on the bag and tearing
II open. They didn't get away with
them-after ALI" he exclaimed, exam
inlng 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 Il.
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, II 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. q
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 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 a quick look about Evidently |
hey came in from and went away by |
he street." he observed, hurrying to
he door, followed by Elaine.
On the sidewalk he gazed up the
venue, then catching sight of the
treet cleaner, called to him.
Eyes, sor," replied the man, stolidly,
ooking up from his work. ''I see three
'intlemen come out and get into an
(Which way did they go?" asked
lennedy.
For answer the man jerked his
hunt over his shoulder in the general
irection uptown.
With keen glance, Kennedy strained
is eyes. Far up the avenue he could
escry the car threading its way in
nd out among the others, just about
A moment later Craig caught sight
the vacant taxicab and crooked his
nger at the driver, who answered
by cranking his engine.
"You saw that limousine standing
ere?" asked Craig.
"Yes," nodded the chauffeur, with
low of alertness.
well, follow It," ordered Kennedy,
lmping into the cab.
Eyes, sir"
Craig was Just about to close the
'or when slight figure flashed pastl
and dainty foot was placed on the
ep.
please. Mr.. Kennedy" pleaded l
laine, 'let me go. They may lead to
y fathers slayer"
She said 1t so earnestly that Craig
uld scarcely have resisted If he had {
anted to do so.
Just as Elaine and Kennedy we're !
owing off came out of the vacant 1
ore, with Bennett and the detectives.
"Craig!" cried. Where are you b
ing?"
Kennedy stuck his head out OF the a
ndow, and | am quite sure that he
IS not altogether displeased that l t
ls not with him. il
Chasing that limousine" he shout s
back. Follow us in another car" z
A moment later he and Elaine were
ne. 1,
Bennett and looked about. O
There are a couple Of cabs--down
ere." pointed out at the other end /"
the block. "Tll take one, you take il
) other"
Who, besides Bennett, went in tVSa 'r
Ter car don't know, but it made - II
for we soon lost them. Our
yer, however, was a really clever
low. Far ahead now we could see a,
limousine drive around a corner, cl
king a dangerous swerve. Ken ia
ly's cab followed, skidding danger