Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-04-03

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Ten minutes later. outside the new
headquarters. n crouched-up figure.
carrying q small package. his face
hidden under his soft hat and up
turned collar. could have been seen
sinking along until he came TO the
steps.
He went up and peered through the
aperture OF the doorway. Then he
rang the bell. Twice he raised his
hand and clenched IL In the now In
miliar clutch.
A crook inside saw II through the
aperture and opened the door. The
figure entered and almost before the
door was shut tied the masking hand
kerchief over his face. which hid his
identity from even the most trusted
lieuteBsnts. The crook bowed to the
chief. who. with a grovl az though OF
recognition. moved down the hall
As he came 10 the room from which
Slim had been sent on his mission.
the same group was seated IN the
thick tobacco smoke.
You fellows clear out" he srovled.
II want To be alone"
The old man IL peeved." muttered
one. outside. as they lett.
The weird figure gazed about the
room to be sure that he was alone.
When Craig and I left the police he
had given me most minute instruc-
tons which ! Was now following out
TO the letter.
II want you "a hide there" he said.
indicating a barrel back Of the house
next TO the hangout. when you see a
wire come down from the headquar-
ters. take " and carry II across the
lot TO the old house. Attach IL 10 the
bell; then wait. When It rings. raid
the Clutching Hand Joint"
waited what seemed 10 be an in
terminable time back Of the barrel.
Finally. however. | saw a coil or hne
wire drop rapidly To the ground from
a window somewhere above. I made a
dash for IL, as though ! were trying TO
rush the trenches. seized my prize
and. without looking back 10 see where
IL came from. beat a hasty retreat.
Around the lot | skirted. until at
last ! reached the place where the
police we're waiting. Quickly We
fastened the wire to the bell.
We waited.
Not a sound from the bell.
Up in the room In the joint the
hunched-up figure stood BY the table.
lie had taken his hat OF aud placed II
carefully on the table and VAS now
waiting.
Suddenly n noise at the door startled
him. lie listened. Then he backed
away from the door and drew a reyol.
yer.
As the door slowly opened there Pm
tered another figure. hat over his eyes.
collar up. q handkerchief over his
face. the exact counterpart OF the
first,
For a ome each glared at the
other.
Hands up" shouted the first hg-
ure. hoarsely. moving the u and
closing the door with his foot.
The newcomer slowly raised his
crooked hand over his head. as the blue
steel revolver gaped menacingly.
With a quick movement OF the other
hand the first sinister figure removed
the handkerchief from his face and
Strengthened W.
II vas Kennedy.
Come over TO the center or the
room" ordered Kennedy.
Clutching Hand oheyed. cycling his
captor closely.
Now lay your weapons on the ia
BILE"
lie tossed down a revolver.
The two still faced each other. =
Take on that handkerchief"
II was n tense moment Slowly
Clutcbing Hand started 10 obey. Then
ne stopped. Kennedy was just about
TO thunder. Go on" when the criminal
calmly remarked. You've got ME all
right. Kennedy. but In twenty minutes
Elaine Dodge will be dead"
lie said il with a nonchalance that
might have deceived anyone less as
tute than Kennedy. Suddenly there
flashed over Craig the words: THE
TRICK WILL BE PULLED OFF AT
THREE O'CLOCK"
There val no fake about that. Ken
nedy frowned menacingly. IN he
killed Clutching Hand. Elaine would
die. II he fought he must either kill
or be killed. II he handed Clutching
Hand over Elaine was lost. lie looked
al his watch. IL was twenty-five min
utes OF three.
What do you mean-tell me?" de-
handed Kennedy with forced calm.
Yesterday Mr.. Bennett bought a
wrist watch for Elaine" the Clutching
Hand said quietly. They left II 20
be regulated. One OF my men bought
one Just like II. Mine VAS delivered
to her today"
A likely story" doubted Kennedy.
For answeT the Clutching Hand
merely pointed 10 the telephone.
Kennedy reached for II.
One thing" interrupted the Clutch
ing Hand. You are a nan of honor"
"Yes-yes. Go on"