The Dermott news., 1915-05-13
SIXTH EPISODE
he Vampire


 Kennedy went the next day to the Dodge house, and, as usual, Perry Ben nett Elaines lawyer, was there in the library with Elaine. stiu going over the Clutehing Hand ease in their en- deavor to track down the mysterious master criminal
 Bennett seemed as deeply as ever ln love with Elaine. Still, as Jennings admitted Craig. it was sufficiently evi- dent by the manner in which Elaine left Bennett and ran to greet Craig that she had the highest regard for him
 I've brought you llttle document that may interest you remarked Ken nedy, reaching into his pocket and pulling out an envelope.
 Elaine tore 1t open and looked at the paper within.
 "Oh, how thoughtful of you" she exclaimed in surprise
 It was a permit from the police made out in her uame allowing her to car. " revolver.
 A moment later Kennedy reached into his coat pocket and produced q little automatic which he handed to her.
 Thank you, she cried. eagerly
 Elaine examined the gun with inter- est. then, raising it, pointed 1t play fully at Bennett
 "Oh. no. no'" exclaimed Kennedy taking her arm quickly and gently. de hecting the weapon away. You mustn't think it is toy Ii eXplodes at mere touch of the trieeer=wheu that safety ratchet is turned .
 Bennett had realized the danger and had jumped back almost mechanical ly. As he did so. he bumped into a suit of medieval armor standing by the wall knocking it over with q re sounding crash.
 T beg pardon" he calculated. I'm very sorry. That was very awkward of me"
 Jennings, who had been busy about the portieres at the doorway. started to pick up the fallen knight
 ''Too bad, too bad. apologized Fen nett profusely. T really forgot how close was to the thing
 "Oh, never mind returned Elaine e little crestfallen, it is smashed all right-but it was my fault Jennings send for someone to repair it."
 It was late that night that q masked figure succeeded in raising itself to the narrow ornamental ledge under Elaines bedroom window
 Elaine was light sleeper. and. be- sides, Rusty. her faithful collie. now fully recovered from the poison. was in her room.
 Rusty growled and the sudden noise awakened her
 Startled. Elaine instantly thought of the automatic. She reached under her pillow. keeping very quiet. and drew forth the gun that Craig had given her. Stealthily coucealing her actions under the covers, she leveled the auto matic at the figure silhouetted in her window and fired three times.
 The figure fell back
 Down in the street below. the as sistant of the ClutChing Hand who had waited while Taylor Dodge was eiectrocuted. was waiting as his con federate, Pitts Slim"-which indicat- ed that he was both wiry in stature and libelous in delegating his nativity made the attempt.
 As Slim came tumbling down, hav- ing fallen back from the window above mortally wounded, the confederate lift ed him up and carried him out of sight hurriedly.
 Elaine, by this time. had turned on the lights and had run to the window to look out Rusty was barking loud ly.
 In a side street near by stood wait ing automobile. at the wheel of which sat another of the emissaries of the Clutching Hand. The driver looked up, startled as he saw his fellow hurry around the corner carrying the wounded Pitts Slim" It was the work of just moment to drop the wounded man, as comfortably as pos eible under the circumstances, in the rear seat, while his pals started the car on with & Jerk fin the hurry of es- cape.
 Jennings, having hastily slipped his trousers on over his pajamas. came running down the hall. while Marie, frightened, came in the other direc- tion. Aunt Josephine appeared a few eeconds later, adding to the general excitement.
 What's the matter!" she asked. Anxiously.
 "A burglar, think" exclaimed Vxass. stili Aol6inR the gun in her