Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-05-28

W. lllS 10 MI JulhCoOh'
ooh, Mr.. Jameson, I've discovered
the Clutching Hand papers," she be-
gan, more and more excited.
Have you read them?" came back
the voice quickly.
mo; shall I?'
Then don't unseal them" cautioned
the voice. Put them back exactly as
you found them and I'll tell Mr.. Ken
nedy the moment I can get hold of
him"
"All right" said Elaine. "I'n do
that And please get him as soon as
you possibly can"
81 will"
I'm going out shopping now" she
returned, suddenly. But, tell him I'll
be right back-right away"
Very we'll"
Hanging up the receiver, Elaine
dutifully replaced the papers in the
box and returned the box to its secret
hiding place, pressing the spring and
sliding the panel shut.
A few minutes later she left the
house in the Dodge car
Outside our laboratory, leaning up
against a railing, Dan the Dude, an
emissary of the Clutching Hand, whose
dress now greatly belied his under
world "monniker," had been shadow
ing us, watching to see when we left.
The moment we disappeared, he
raised his land carefully above his
head and made the sign of the Clutch
ing Hand Far down the street, in a
closed car, the Clutching Hand him
self, his face masked, gave an an
swering sign.
A moment later he left the car, gaz-
ing about stealthily. Not a soul was
in sight and he managed to make his
way to the door of our laboratory
without being observed
Probably he thought that the pa
pers might be at the laboratory, for
he had repeatedly failed to locate
them at the Dodge house. At any rate
he was busily engaged in ransacking
drawers and cabinets, in the labora-
tory, when the telephone suddenly
rang.
An instant he hesitated. Then, dis
guising his voice as much as he could
to initiate mine, he took up the re-
ceiver.
Hello" he answered.
His face was study in all that
was dark as he realized that it was
Elaine calling. He clenched his crook
ed hand even more viciously
Have yoi read them?" he asked,
curbing his impatience as she unsus-
pectingly poured forth her story, sup
possedly to me.
Then don't unseal Them" he has
tened to reply. Put them back,
Then there can be no question about
them. You can open them before wit.
! nesses."
For a moment he paused, then add
ed: Put them back, and tell no
one of their discovery. l will tell Mr..
Kennedy the moment can get him" y
Clutching Hand studied for a mo-
ment and then grabbed the telephone
again.
Hello, Dan," he called when he got
his number Miss Dodge is going
shopping. l want you and the other
Falsers to follow her-delay her all
you can. Use your own judgment.
1t was what had come to be known
in his organization as the Brother
hood of Falsers." There, in the back
room of a low dive, were Dan the
Dude, the emissary who had been loi
tering about the laboratory, a gun
man, Dago Mike, a couple of women
slatterns, one known as Kitty the
Hawk. and a boy of eight or ten, whom
they called Billy.
"All right, Chief" shouted back
Dan, their leader, as he hung up the
telephone after noting carefully the
hasty instructions. Well do it
trust u.s."
With alacrity the Brotherhood
went their separate ways.
Elaine had not been gone long from
the house when Craig and | arrived
there.
Too bad" greeted Jennings, blu
Miss Elaine has just gone shopping
and don't know when she'll bt
back"
Aunt Josephine greeted us cordially
and Craig set down the vocaphon,
package he was carrying.
I'm not going to let anything hap
pen here to Miss Elaine again if
can help il" remarked Craig in a low
tone, a moment later, gazing about thu
library.
What are you thinking of doing?
asked Aunt Josephine keenly.
I'm going to put in vocaphone,
he returned, unwrapping it.
What's that?" she asked.
"A loud speaking telephone-con
nected with my laboratory" he eX
, planned, repeating what he had al
ready told me, while she listened al
most awe-struck at the latest scientific
wonder.
He was looking about, trying to fia
ure out just where it could be place.
to best advantage, when he approache,
/, | Il