Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-21

"Confound IT," he muttered searching fever
shly
Kennedy having made the arrangements with
the telephone company by which he had a clear wire
from the Dodge house to his library, had rejoined
me there and was putting the finishing touches to
his installation of the vocaphone.
Every now and then he would switch it on and
we would listen in as he demonstrated the
derful little instrument to me. We had heard the
window cleaner and Jennings, but thought nothing
of 1t at the time
Once. however Craig paused. and 1 saw him
listening intently than usual
They've gone out" he muttered, but surely
there is someone in the Dodge library"
listened, too. The thing was so sensitive that
even a whisper could be magnifed, and certainly
did hear something.
Kennedy frowned. What was that scratching
noise? Could 1t be Jennings? Perhaps it was
Rusty.
Just then we could distinguish sound as
though someone had moved about.
"No--thats not Jennings" cried Craig. He
went out"
He looked at me moment. The same stealthy
noise repeated.
Its the Clutchng Hand" he exclaimed. excit-
eddy.
moment later Dan hurried into the Dodge
library.
For heavens sake Chief, hurry" he whs-
down. The girl herself Is coming!"
Dan himself had not time to waste He
treated into the hallway just Jennings open
ing 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 upstairs. Elaine
moved toward the library. Dan took quiet step
or two behind her. in the same direction.
In the library Clutching Hand fran
tically searching for the spring. He heard Elaine
coming and lodged behind the curtains again Just
as she entered
With hasty look about, she one. Then
she went quickly to the panel, found the spring and
pressed it. So many queer things had happened
to her since she went out that she had begun to
worry over the safety of the papers.
The panel opened They were there, all right.
She opened the box and took them out, hesitating
to break the seal before Kennedy arrived.
stealthy and tiger-like the Clutching Hand
crept up behind her. AS he did so Dan gazed in
through the portieres from the hall.
With a spring, Clutching Hand leaped at Elaine,
snatchng at the papers Elaine chung to them
tenaciously in spite of the surprise and they strug
gled for them, Clutching Hand holding hand
her mouth to prevent her screaming. In
stanty Dan was there. aiding his chief.
Choke herl Strange herl Don't let her
scream" he growled out.
They fought viciously. Would they succeed7
1t was too desperate. INSCRIPTIONS against one
frail girl.
Suddenly from the man in armor in the corner,
If by miracle, came a deep. loud voice.
Help! Help! Murder! Police! They are
stranglng mel"
The effect was terrible.
Clutching Hand and Dan, hardened in crime as
they were. fell back, dazed, overcome for the mo-
ment at the startling effect
They looked about. Not a soul.
Then, to their utter CONSERVATION, from the
visor Of the helmet again the deep, vibrating
warning.
Help! Murder! PolceI"
Kennedy and 1 had been listening over the
vocaphone. for the moment, nonplussed at the fell
lows daring.
Then heard from the uncanny instrument:
For Heavens sake, Chief. hurry! The falsers
have fallen down. The girl herself is coming!"
What it meant we dd not know. But Craig
almost beside himself. as he ordered me to try
to get the police by telephone If there was any way
to block them Only instant action would count,
however. What to do?
He could hear the master criminal plainly fun
bling now.
YES that's the Clutching Hand" he repeated.
Wait" cautioned. someone else is coming"
BY sort of instinct he seemed to recognize the
sounds,
Elaine" he exclaimed, paling.
Instantly followed, in less than 1 tell II. the
sounds of h suppressed scuffle
He seized her-gagged her." / cried In an
agony OF suspense.
We could hear everything that going
in the library. Craig wildly excited. AS
for me, was speeches. Here the vocaphone
we had installed 1t had warned US. But what
could we do?
looked blanky at Kennedy. He was equal
to the emergency.
He calmly turned switch.
Then, at the top of his lungs, he shouted:
HELP! Help Police! They are strangling mel
looked at him in amazement. What did he
think he could do-bocks awayH
1T works both ways" he muttered. "Helpl
Murder! Policel"
loud metallic ringing came from the voca-