The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-05-25
SIXTH EPISODE
"The Vampire"

| AACAACuy WCnI LILO uCAt Gdy " LII
Dodge house, and. as usual, Perry Ben
nett, Elaine's lawyer, was there in the
library with Elaine, still going ovel
the Clutching Hand case In their en-
deavor to track down the mysterious
master criminal.
Bennett seemed as deeply as evel
In 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 Craif
that she had the highest regard fol
him.
I've brought you little document
that may interest you," remarked Ken
nedy, reaching into his pocket and
| pulling out an envelope.
Elaine tore it open and looked al
the paper within.
"oh, how thoughtful of you'll" she
exclaimed In surprise
1t was q permit from the police made
out in her name allowing her to car
ry revolver
A moment later. Kennedy reached
into his coat pocket and produced a
little automatic which he handed to
her
Thank you," she cried, eagerly.
Elaine examined the gun with inter.
est, then, raising it, pointed it play.
fully at Bennett
"Oh, no, mol" exclaimed Kennedy
taking her arm quickly and gently, de-
fecting the weapon away. you
mustn't think 1t is a toy. 1t explodes
at mere touch Of the trigger-when
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 re-
sounding crash.
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 Ben.
nett profusely. 81 really forgot how
close was to the thing"
"Oh, never mind" returned Elaine,
little crestfallen, 1T is smashed all
right-but it was my fault Jennings,
send for someone to repair It,"
1t was late that night that masked
figure succeeded in raising itself to
the narrow ornamental ledge under
Elaine's bedroom window.
Elaine was a 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
I'electrocuted, 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
MORALLY 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 side street near by stood a 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" 1t was the
work of just a moment to drop the
wounded man, as comfortably as pos
sible under the circumstances, in the
rear seat, while his pals started the
car of with a jerk in 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
ton. Aunt Josephine appeared few
seconds later, adding to the general
excitement.
Whats the natter" she asked
anxiously.
"A burglar, 1 think" exclaimed
Elaine. still holding the gun in hel
hand. Someone tried to get into my
window"
my gracious!" cried Aunt Joseph
ine, in alarm, Where will this thing
end?"
WELL" Elaine laughed, little nerv
ously, now that 1t was all over, g
want you all to go to bed and stoI
worrying about me. Don't you see
I'm perfectly able to take care of my
self? Besides, there isn't a chance
now of the burglar coming back. Why
I shot him."
YES" put in Aunt Josephine, "bu
-
Elaine laughingly interrupted he
and playfully made as though she
were driving them out of her room.
RUSTY" she called Down, there!'
The intelligent collie seemed to un
derstand. He lay down by the door
way, his nose close to the bottom O
the door, and his ears alert.
Finally Elaine, too, retired again.
Meanwhile the wounded man wal
being hurried to one of the hangouts o
the mysterious Clutching Hand
The car containing the wounded
pitts Slim" drew up, and the othe
two men leaped out of it. With hur
ried glance about they unlocked tn,
front door with pass key and en-
tered, carrying the man.
Indoors was another emissary of tn,
Clutching Hand, rather studious
looking chap.
why, what's the matter?" he ex
claimed as the crooks entered his room
supporting their half-fainting, wounde'
pal
"Slim got couple Of pills." the.
painted as they laid him on couch.
"How?" demanded the other.
Trying to get into the Dodge house
Elaine did It."