The Ordway new era., 1915-05-14
SIXTH HEPIsoDE
1.-THE Vampire"

1.-THE Vampire"
Kennedy went the next day to the
Dodge house. and. as usual. Perry Ben
nett, Elaine's lawyer, was there in the
library with Elaine. still going over
the Clutching Hand case in their en-
deavor to track down the mysterious
master criminal.
Bennett seemed as deeply as ever
in love with Elaine. Still, as Jennings
admitted Craig. 1t was sufficiently evil
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 a little 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.
twas permit from the police made
out In her name allowing her to car
~ a revolver.
A moment later. Kennedy reached
into his coat pocket and produced a
little automatic which he handed to
her. lyE t
Thank you." she cried, eagerly.
Elaine examined the gun with inter
est. then, raising it. pointed it play
fully at Bennett.
"oh. no. no!' exclaimed Kennedy,
taking her arm quickly and gently. de-
fecting the weapon away. you
mustn't think It is toy. It explodes
at mere touch OF the trigger-when
that safety ratchet is turned"
p Bennett had realized the danger and
had jumped back. almost mechanical
ly. As he did 80. he bumped into 4
suit. OF medieval armor standing by
the wall. knocking 1t over with q re-
sounding crash.
"Iibeg 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. "a
TOO bad, too bad" apologized Ben
nett profuse1y. "I really forgot how
close was to the thing"
.'Oh, never mind" returned Elaine,
a little crestfallen, '"it is smashed all
right-but it was my fault. Jennings,
send for someone to repair IT.
1t was late that night that a masked
figure succeeded in raising itaelf to
the narrow ornamental ledge under
Elaine's bedroom window rTE-75a
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 concealing her actions
under the covers. she leveled the auto
matte 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
electrocuted, was waiting as his con
federate, "Pitts Slim"-which indicat'
cd that he was both wiry. in stature
and hbelous 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
Cd 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 side street near by stood a walt
ing automobile, at the wheel Of which
sat another of the, emissaries OF the
Ciutching Hand. The driver looked
up, startled, as he saw his feilo"
hurry around the corner carrying the
Wounded pitts Slim" 1t was the
work. of Just moment to drop the
wou1ded man, as comfortably as pos
sfbl& under the circumstances. In the
reaE seat, while his pals started the
car Sofr with jerk in the hurry OF es
cap@
Jtkunings, having hastily slipped his
tro,{ sers on over his pa5amas. cam'
run hing down the hall. while Marie
fris vhtened came in the other direc
tionf Aunt Josephine appeared few
secl binds later, adding to the genera
exc Element. .,.sv
anI iousiy. ,,
burglar. I think, excia'%e, ny
Ma lna stali hssdins the gun In ~