Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-04-24


son will lead you to It, Come. wal
ter" he added. picking up the bags.
Ten minutes later. outside the new
headquarters. crouched-up inquire
carrying a small package. his race
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. linen he
rang the bell. Twice he raised MS
hand and clenched 1t in the now Ia
milar clutch.
A crook inside saw it through the
aperture and opened the door. Inc
figure entered and almost before the
door was shut tied the masking manu-
kerchief over his face. which hid his
identity from even the most trusted
lieutenants. The crook bowed to the
chief, who. with a growl as though OF
recognition, moved down the hall.
As he came to the room from when
Slim had been sent on his MISSION
the same group was seated in the
thick tobacco smoke.
You fellows clear out" he groWled'
II want to be alone"
1.-THE old man is peeved." muttered
one, outside. as they left.
The weird figure gazed about the
room to be sure that he was alone.
When Craig and left the police he
had given me most minute instruc-
lions which was now following out
to the letter.
Il want you to hide there" he said'
indicating a barrel back OF the house
next to the hangot. When you see
wire come down from the headquar
tiers, take it and carry 1t across the
lot to the old house. Attach IL to the
J bell; then wait. When 1t rings, ralc
the Clutching Hand Joint"
waited what seemed to be an In
: terminable time back Of the barrei
Finally, however, | saw a coil pfrSm
wire drop rapidly to ttbbooye. l made a
e n window somey. 80 irving 10
!, ",'iso -, as though l were tryihe ~
1aShp the trenches, seized my prize
!, and without looking back to see wher'
Z It came from. beat hasty retreat
, Around the lot | skirted. until a
4 last reached the place where III
;. notice we're waiting. Quickly :"
fastened the wire to the bell.
y We waited.
,. Not a sound from the bell.
% I'm in the room in the joint IN
!, bunched-up figure stood by the taoi
"a He had taken his hat OF ana piaceu
he carefully on the table ana WAS "o
waiting.
r.. Suddenly a noise at the door startl'
" him. He listened. Then he back'
40 away from the door and drew rev'
&c yer.
As the door slowly opened there c
10. tered another figure, hat over his ey'
10 collar UP. q handkerchief over
,ro face. the exact counterpart oil |
we first!
For a moment each glared at t
O other.
Hands up" shouted the first
ure. hoarsely. moving tho gun q
closing the door with his foot.
sa The newcomer slowly raised
Ia crooked hand over his head. as the b
"a steel revolver gaped menacingly.
N With a quick movement of the OF
hand the first sinister figure reno
M the handkerchief from his face
fl Strengthened up.
Sal II was Kennedy!
sal Come over to the center OF
III room" ordered Kennedy
III Clutching Hand obeyed. cycling
captor closely.
"Now lay your weapons on the
IA BILE"
He tossed down a revolver.
81 The two still faced each other.
Take off that handkerchief!
II was a tense moment. SlC
Clutching Hand started to obey. !
he stopped. Kennedy was just a
TO thunder. go on" when the GRIN
calmly remarked, You've got MI
right, Kennedy. but In twenty min
Elaine Dodge will be dead.'
He said 1t with nonchalance
MIGHT have deceived anyone lest
tute than Kennedy. Suddenly
flashed over Craig the words:
~ TRICK WILL BE PULLED OFF
.,a THREE O'CLOCK"
There was no fake about that.
nedy frowned menacingly. II
killed Clutching Hand, Elaine
ul m die. II he fought he must eithe'
oem or be killed. If he handed Clut'
~ ~ Hand over Elaine was lost he &c
Gulf at his watch. 1t was twenty-five
,s utes Of three.
lle What do you mean-teii me !!
es manded Kennedy with forced cal
''fi'f yesterday Mr.. Bennett bout
wrist watch for Elaine" the Ciut
Uion Hand said quietly. They LETT
=, nen be regulated. One of my men D
~ Un one Just like it. Mine was dei'
to her today"
"A likely story!" doubted Ker