The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-06-08

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"Confound It'll" he muttered, search
ing feverishly.
Kennedy, having made the arrange
ments with the telephone company by
which he had clear wire from the
Dodge house to his laboratory, had re-
Joined me there and was putting on
the finishing touches on his installa-
ton Of the vocaphone.
Every now and then he would
switch 1t on, and we would listen in
1t as he demonstrated the wonderful
little instrument to me. We had
heard the window cleaner and Jen-
nings. but thought nothing of it at
the time.
Once, however, Craig paused, and l
saw him listening more intently than
usual.
They've gone out" he muttered,
but surely there is some one in the
Dodge library"
Il listened, too. The thing was SO
sensitive that even a whisper could
be magnified. and certainly did hear
something.
Kennedy frowned. What was that
scratching noise? Could 1t be Jen-
nings? Perhaps 1t was Rusty
Just then we could distinguish a
sound as though someone had moved
about.
"No-that's not jennings" cried :
Craig. HE went out"
He looked at me moment. The
same stealthy noise was repeated.
It's the ciutching Hand" he ex-
claimed excitedly.
A moment later Dan hurried into
the Dodge library.
For heavens sake, Chief. hurry"
he whispered hoarsely. 1.-THE Falsers
must have fallen down. The girl her
self is coming!"
Dan himself had no time to waste.
He retreated into the hallway Just as
Jennings was opening the door for
Elaine
Marie took her wraps and left her,
while Elaine handed her numerous
packages to Jennings.
Dan watched every motion.
Put them away, jennings" she
said softly.
Jennings had obeyed and gone up
stairs. Elaine moved toward the IL
brary. Dan took quiet step or two
behind her, In the same direction.
In the library Clutching Hand was
now frantically searching for the
spring. He heard Elaine coming and
lodged behind the curtains again just
as she entered.
With hasty look about, she saw
no one. Then she went quickly to the
panel, found the spring and pressed
It. So many queer things had hap
pened to her since she went out that
she had begun to worry over the safe
ty Of the papers.
The panel opened. They we're there,
all right. She opened the box and
took them out, hesitating to break the
seal before Kennedy arrived.
Stealthy and tigerlike, the Clutch
ing Hand crept up behind her. AS he
did SO, Dan gazed in through the por-
there's from the hall.
With a spring, Clutching Hand
leaped at Elaine, snatching at the pa
pers. Elaine chung to them tenacious
ly, in spite of the surprise, and they
struggled for them, Clutching Hand
I holding one hand over her mouth to
| prevent her screaming. Instantly Dan
was there, aiding his chief.
Choke her! Strangle her! Don't
| let her scream!" he ground out.
They fought viciously. Would she
succeed? 1t was two desperate, I'M
scrupulous men against one frail girl.
Suddenly, from the man in armor
! in the corner as If by miracle, came
| a deep, loud voice.
Help! Help Murder! Police!
They are strangling mel"
| The effect was terrific.
Clutching Hand and Dan, hardened
in crime as they were. fell back,
dazed, overcome for the moment at
the startling effect.
They looked about Not soul.
Then. to their utter CONSERVATION,
from the helmet again came the deep.
vibrant warning.
Help! Murder! Police!"
Kennedy and had been listening
over the vocaphone, for the moment
nonplused at the fellows daring.
Then we heard from the uncanny
instrument: For Heavens sake,
Chief, hurry. The Falsers have fallen
down. The girl herself is coming!"
What 1t meant we did not know. But
Craig was almost beside himself, as
he ordered me to get the police by tel
ephone. II there was any way to block