The Dermott news., 1915-06-17

''NO,' came back the reply. the watch Mir Bennett bought is still here being regulated"
 Kennedy hung up the receiver. He was stunned
 The watch will cause her death at three o'clock" said the CrutChing Hand Swear to leave here without discovering my identity and l will tell you how. You can save her! In that watch" he hissed. "l have set poi soned needle in a spring that will be released and will plunge it into her arm at exactly three o'clock. On the needle is riCinusi"
 Craig advanced, furious As he did so Glutching Hand pointed calmly to the clock It was twenty minutes of threei
 With q mental struggle Kennedy controlled his loathiug of the creature before him
 All right-but you'll hear from me-soouer than you suspect" he shouted. starting for the door
 Then he came back and lifted his hat. hiding as much as possible the selenium cell. letting the light fall on it
 Only Elaine.s life has saved you" With last threat he dashed out. He hailed a cab returning from some steamship wharves not far away
 Quick" he ordered. giving the Dodge address on Fifth avenue.
 Minute after minute the police and waited Was anything wrong' Where was Craig?
 Just then q tremor grew into tiukle. then came the strong burr of the bell Kennedy needed us
 With shout of encouragement to the men I dashed out and over to the old house
 Meanwhile Ciutchtng Hand himself had approached the table to recover his weapon and had noticed the queer little selenium cell
 The deuee," he cried. Hes planned to get me "Yyhowi"
 Clutching Hand rushed to the door then stopped short Outside he could hear the police and myself
 
 door and pulled down over it a heavy wooden bar
 Al the desk he paused and took out piece of cardboard Then. with heavy black-marktng pencil. he calmly printed on 1t. while we battered at the barricaded door. few short feet away.
 He laid the sign on the desk. then on another piece of cardboard. drew crudely a hand with the Index finger pointing This he placed on a chair. indicating the desk
 Just as the swaying and bulging door gave way Clutching Hand gave the desk a pull II opened up-his get away
 He closed f with sardonlc smile in our direction, just as the door crashed in
 We looked about There was not soul in the room. nothing but the sele- nium cell. the chairs, the desk Look" I cried. catching sight of the index finger. and going over to the desk
 1 We rolled back the top There on the fiat top was q sign Dear 5lockheads: Kennedy and [ couldn't wait.
 Then came that mysterious sign of l the Clutching Hand { We hunted over the rooms. but could find nothing that showed a clue. Where was Clutchtng Hand? Where was Kennedy
 In the next house Clutching Hand ! had literally come out of an upright piano into the room corresponding to that he had left Hastily he threw off his handkerchief. slouch hat, old coat and trousers neat striped pair of trousers replaced the old frayed and baggy pair A new shirt. then a sporty vest and frock coat followed
 As he put the finishing touches on he looked for all the world like a be- whiskered foreigner.
 At the door of the new Headquarters. a few seconds later stood with the police.
 Not a sign of him anywhere" l" growled one of the officers
 
 Elaine was sitting In the library reading when Aunt Josephine turned ! to her
 What time is it. dear?" she asked
 Elaine glanced at her pretty new trinket
 Nearly three. Auntie-just a couple of minutes" she said.
 Just then there came the sound of feet running madly down the hallway They jumped up, startled.
 Kennedy his coat flying and hat damned over his eyes. had almost bowled over poor Jennings in his mad race down the hall
 Well" demanded Elaine haughtily. what's"
 Before she knew what was going on Craig hurried up to her and literally ripped the watch off her wrist. break ing the beautiful bracelet
 He held 1t up. gingerly. Elaine was