Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-01-17
CHAPTER III.
The Vanishing Jewels

~ Angling away at my typewriter the next
y day, in Kennedys laboratory, was star
tied by the sudden, insistent ringing Of the
telephone near me.
Hello" answered, for Craig was at
work at his table trying still to extract some clue
from the slender evidence thus far ELECTED in thu
Dodge mystery
"oh, Mr. Kennedy" heard an excited voice
the wire fepiy, my friend Susie Martin, 80
here. Her father has just received n message from
that Clutching Hand and"
''Just moment, Miss Dodge" interrupted.
This is Mr. Jameson"
"Oh!" came back the voice. breathless and dis
appointed. LET me have Mr.. Kennedy-Quck."
had already passed the telephone TO Craig
and was watching him keenly as he listened over
Il. The anticipation OF a message from Elaine did
not fade, yet his face grew grave rs he listened.
He motioned to me for pad and pencil that
lay me.
please read the letter again. slower. Miss
Dodge" he asked, adding, "there isn't time for
me to seett--just yet. But want It exactly. You
say IL IL made up OF separate words and type cut
from newspapers and pasted on note paperf"
handed him paper and pencil.
"All right now, Miss Dodge, 80 ahead"
AS he wrote he indicated to me by his eyes that
he wanted me to read. aid 90:
sturtevsnt Martin. Jeweler, No. 7ssM Fifth
Avenue, New York city: sir-As you have failed
to deliver the $4,000, shall rob your main dia-
mond case at exactly noon today.
Thank you, Miss Dodge" continued Kennedy
laying down the pencil. Eyes, understand por-
fecty-signed by that same Clutching Hand. Let
see" he poEdered, looking at his watch. IIt IL
Just about half-past eleven. Very we'll. shall
meet you and Miss Martin at Mr.. Martins store
directly"
It lacked five minutes Of noon when Kennedy
and dashed up before Martins and dismissed our
taxicab
remarkable scene greeted us as We entered
the famous jewellery shop. Involuntarily drew
back. sQuarely in front of man had suddenly
raised revolver and leveled it at u.s.
DON'T" cried familiar voice. THAT Is Mr..
Kennedy"
Just then, from little knot of people, Elaine
Dodge sprang forward with a cry and seized
the gun
Kennedy turned to her. apparently not half so
much concerned about the automatic that yawned
at him as about the anxiety Of the pretty girl who
had interviewed. The too eager painclothesman
low@ed the gun sheepishly.
sturtevant Martin was typical society business
man, quietly but richly dressed. He was inclined
TO be pompous and effected pair of rather dis
tinguished looking side whiskers.
In the excitement glanced about hurriedly
There were two or three policemen in the shop and
several planclothesmen, some armed with form
liable looking sawed-off shot guns
Directly in front OF me was sign. tackled up
pillar. which read This store will be closed
at to-day. Martin Co."
All the customers were gone In fact, the
clerks had had some trouble in clearing the shop,
many OF them expressed, not only surprise but
evaporation at the proceeding. Nevertheless the
clerks had politely but insistently ushered them
out.
Martin himself was evidently very nervous and
very much alarmed. Indeed. no one could blame
him for that Merely 20 have been singled out by
this amazing master criminal was enough 20 cause
panic. Already he had engaged detectives pre-
pared for whatever might happen. and they had
advised him 10 leave the diamonds in the counter,
clear the store and let the crooks try anything n
they dared.
] fancied that he was somewhat exasperated at
his daughters presence. too but could see that her
explanation OF Eiaines and Perry BENEFITS inter-
est in the cluching Hand had considerably molli-
fled him. He had been talking with Bennettsss
came In and evidently had high respect for the
young lawyer.
Just back OF as, and around the corner as We
came In. We had noticed Limousine which had
driven up. Three fadltlessiy attired dandies had
entered doorway down the street. as We learned