Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1915-06-25


the door opened slowly and | could
see a cold blue automatic.
ITS all right, Michael" treasured
Craig calmly. "All right, Walter" he
added to me-
The gun dropped back into the foot
mans pocket. We entered and Mi.
chael again locked the door. Not
word had been spoken by him so far
Next Michael moved to the center
OF the room and, as | realized later.
brought himself in direct line with the
open window. He seemed to be over.
come with fear at his betrayal and
stood there breathing heavily.
Professor Kennedy" he began, II
have been so mistreated that have
made up my mind to tell you all
| know about this Clutching-"
Suddenly he drew a sharp breath
and both his hands clutched at his
own breast. He did not stagger and
fall in the ordinary manner. but
seemed to bend at the knees and
waist and literally crumple down on
his face.
We ran to him. Craig turned him
over gently on his back and examined
him. He called. No answer. Michael
was almost pulseless.
Quickly Craig tore off his collar and
pared his breast, for the man seemed
to be struggling for breath. As he did
so he drew from Michaeis throat a
small, sharp-pointed dart
whats that?" / calculated, horror
stricken.
"A poisoned blowgun dart, such az
is used by the South American In
dams on the upper orinoco," he said
slowly.
He examined Il carefully
| What is the poison?" I asked.
"Curari," he replied simply. "It acts
on the respiratory muscles. paralyzing
them and causing asphyxiation."
The dart seemed to have been made
of quill with very sharp point, hol-
low. and containing the deadly poison
in the sharpened end.
Look out!" cautioned, as he
handled II.
"Oh. that's all right" be answered
casually. IF don't scratch myself,
am safe enough. could swallow the
stun and II wouldn't hurt me-unless
had an abrasion of the lips or some
internal cut"
Kennedy continued to examine the
dart until suddenly heard low ex-
clamation OF surprise from him. In.
side the hollow quill was a thin sheet
of tissue paper, tightly rolled. He
drew II out and read:
ITO know me is Death.
"Kennedy-Take Warning"
Underneath was the inevitable
Clutching Hand sign.
We jumped to our feet. Kennel,
rushed to the window and slammed Il
shut, while l seized the key from Mi
chael's pocket, opened the door. ant
called for help.
building across the street, one Nigh,
have seen a bent, skulking figure
His face was copper colored and or
his head was a thick thatch of mat
ted hair. He looked like South
American Indian. I'm very dilapidated
suit of CASTOR American clothes.
He had slipped out through door
way leading to a fight of steps from
the roof to the hallway of the tene
ment. and like one OF his native ven
omous serpents, worked his way down
the stairs again.
My cutlery brought veritable bat
talon OF aid. The hotel proprietor
the negro waiter and several others
dashed upstairs, followed shortly by
a portly policeman.
Craig took the policeman into his
confidence. showing him the dart and
explaining about the poison. The Off
Ger stared blankly
Il must get away. too" hurried or
Craig Officer, will leave you &c
take charge here. You can depend on
me for the inquest"
The officer nodded
Come on, Walter" whispered
Craig. eager to get away, then adding
the one word, "Elaine!"
| followed hastily. not slow to un
derstand his fear for her.
Nor were Craig's fears groundless
In spite of all that could be done fol
her. Elaine was still in bed, much
weaker now than before.
More than that, the Clutching Hand
had not neglected the opportunity
either.
Suddenly. just before our return, {
stone had come hurtllng through tn,
window. without warning of any kind
and had landed on Elaine's bed.
Below, as we learned some time aft
erwards. a car had drawn up hastily
, and the evil-faced crook whom tn,
Clutching Hand had used to rid him
self of the informer, "Llmpy Red" ha,
, leaped out and hastily hurled tn,
stone through the window, as quick
, ly leaping back into the car ant
r whisking away.
| Around the stone was wrapped
piece of paper on which was the ON
/. nous warning. signed as usual by tn,
Hand:
[ Michael is dead.
. Tomorrow, you.
I "Then Kennedy.