The Ordway new era., 1915-06-18

asked the clerk. ~
"No." came back the reply. "the
watch Mr.. Bennett bought is still here
being regulated" ..r.5. p
Kennedy hung up the receiver. He
was stunned.
"The watch will cause her death at
three o'clock" said the Clutching
Hand. Swear to leave here without
discovering my identity and will tell
you how. You can save her! In that
watch" he hissed. II have set a pol.
soned needle In a spring that will be
released and will plunge 1t into her
arm at exactly three o'clock. On the
needle is ricInusl" ,.E.
Craig advanced. furious. As he did
SO Clutching Hand pointed calmly to
the clock. 1t was twenty minutes Of
three! a
With a mental struggle Kennedy
controlled his loathing OF the creature
before him.
"All right-but you'll hear from
me-sooner than you suspect" he
shouted, starting for the door.
Then he came back and lifted his
hat, hiding as much as possible the
selenium cell. letting the light fall
on 1t.
"Only Elaine's life has saved you"
With last threat he dashed out
He hailed a cab, returning from some
steamship wharves not far away.
"Quick!" he ordered. giving the
Dodge address on Fifth avenue.
Minute after minute the police and
I waited. Was anything wrong?
Where was Craig?
Just then a tremor grew into
tinkle. then came the strong burr OF
the bell Kennedy needed us.
With shout of encouragement to
the men dashed out and over to the
old house.
Meanwhile Clutching Hand himself
had approached the table to recover
his weapon and had noticed the queer
little selenium cell.
1.-THE deuce!" he cried. "He't
planned to get me anyhow"
Clutching Hand rushed to the door
then stopped short. Outside he could
hear the police and myself.
Clutching Hand slammed shut his
door and pulled down over 1t a heavy
wooden bar.
At the desk he paused and took out
q piece of cardboard. Then, with .
heavy black-marking pencil. he calmly
printed on 1t. while We battered at the
barricaded door. a few short feet away.
He laid the sign on the desk, then
on another piece Of cardboard, drew
crudely hand with the index finger
pointing. This he placed on . chair.
Indicating the desk. ....
Just as the swaying and bulging
door gave way. Clutching Hand gave
the desk pull. 1t opened up-his get.
away. @
He closed It with sardonic smile
in our direction. just as the door
crashed In.
We looked about. There was not
soul in the room. nothing but the sele-
mum cell. the chairs. the desk.
"Look!" cried. catching sight Of
the index finger. and going over to the
desk
We rolled back the top. There on
the fiat top was sign:
Dear eIoekheads:
Kennedy and couldn't walt.
Then came that mysterious sign Of
the Clutching Hand.
We hunted over the rooms. but
could find nothing that showed a clue.
Where was Clutching Hand? Where
was Kennedy?
In the next house Clutching Hand
had literally come out OF an upright
piano into the room corresponding to
hot h1 boI lafx t11 ha M
his handkerchief. slouch hat. old coat
and trousers. A neat striped pair OF
trousers replaced the old. frayed and
baggy pair. A new shirt. then a sporty
vest and frock coat followed.
AS he put the finishing touches on
he looked for all the world like q be
whiskered foreigner.
At the door of the new headquarters
few seconds later, stood with the
police.
mot a sign of him anywhere"
growled one Of the officers.
Elaine was sitting In the library
reading when Aunt Josephine turned
to her.
What time is 1t, dear?" she asked
Elaine glanced at her pretty new
trinket
Nearly three. Auntie-just couple
Of minutes" she said.
Just then there came the sound OF
feet running madly down the hallway
They jumped up. startled.
Kennedy. his coat flying and hat
jammed over his eyes. had almost
bowled over poor Jennings in his mad
race down the hall.
WELL" demanded Elaine haughtily.
what's"
Before she knew what was going on
Craig hurried up to her and literally
ripped the watch of her wrist, break.
Ing the beautiful bracelet.
He held 1t up, gingerly. Elaine was