The Springdale news., 1915-02-26

lowed by the police and the detec- tiyes, burst in.
 "Fire,' 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 as 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 stifie of smoke down the stairs.
 There are your jewels, Mir Martin cried Kennedy, kicking the precious burlap bag with his foot as if it had been so 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 bouncing on the bag and tearing it open. They didn't get away with them-after all" he exclaimed. exam ming 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- ently from the tailor's 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 driveF-Fe- turned in the same manner. Then the big car whirled up the avenue
 All this we learned later from 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 it's character. You can see how the force of the explosion has loosened it"
 Sure enough, when he pointed it out to us, 1t was plainly visible. One of the detectives picked up crowbar and others, still with the hastily selected implements they had seized to fight the fire started in to pry it 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 Elaire as he showed them to her, but where 1o you suppose the own. CTS are?'
 Craig shrugged his shoulders and gave quick look about Evidently they came in from and went away by the street" he observed. hurrying to the door followed by Elaine.
 On the sidewalk he gazed up the avenue then catching sight of the street cleaner, called to him.
 Yes, sor,' replied the man, stolidly, looking up from his work T see three gintlemen come out and get into an automobile"
 Which way did they go?" asked Kennedy.
 For answer the man jerked >his thumb 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 it's way in and ous among the others, just about ulodppcdi HE.
 A moment later Craig caught sight of the vacant taxicab and ~rooked 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 a show of alertness.
 Well, follow it. ordered Kennedy, jumping into the cab.
 Yes, sir"
 Craig was just about to close the door when a slight figure flashed past us and a dainty foot was placed on the step.
 Please, MT. Kennedy" pleaded Elaine, '1et me go. They may lead to my fathers slayer"
 She said it so earnestly that Craig could scarcely have resisted if he had wanted to do so.
 Just as Elaine and Kennedy were moving off I came out of the vacant store, with Bennett and the detectives