The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-03-19


Outside, If we had not been so alb.
sorbed In the present mystery we
might have seen Michael and the
Clutchins Hand listening to us
Clutching Hand looked hastily at his
watch.
"The deuce" he muttered under his
breath, sitting his suppressed fury.
We stood looking at the safe. Ken
nedy was deeply interested. Elaine
standing close beside him. Suddenly
he seemed to make up his mind.
"Quick-Elaine!" he cried. taking
her arm. stand back"
We all retreated. The safe door.
powerful as IT was, had actually begun
to warp and bend. The plates we're
bulging. A moment later, with a loud
report and concussion, the door blew
OF.
A blast OF cold air and flakes like
snow few out. Papers we're scattered
on every side.
We stood gazing, aghast d seconG,
ther ran forward Kennedy quickly
examined the safe. He bent down and
from the wreck took up a package,
now covered with white.
As quickly he dropped IT,
THAT is the package that was sent"
cried Elaine.
Taking it in a table cover, he laid
1t on the table and opened It. Inside
was a peculiar shape flask, open at the
top, but like a vacuum bottle.
"A Dewar flask!" calculated Craig.
What is it?' asked Elaine. appeal
ing to him.
Liquid air!" he answered. "As it
evaporated, the terrific pressure of
expanding air in the safe increased
until it blew out the door, That is
what caused the cold sweating and the
groans."
We watched him, startled.
On the other side of he portieres
Michael and Clutching Hand waited.
Then, in the general confusion, Clutch
ing Hand slowly disappeared. foiled.
Where did this package come
from?" asked Kennedy of jennings
suspiciously.
Jennings looked blank.
Why" put in Elaine. Michael
brought it to me"
Get Michael" ordered Kennedy.
A moment later he returned. T
found him, going upstairs" reported
Jennings, leading Michael in.
Where did you get this package?"
shot out Kennedy
1T was left at the door, sir, by
boy, sir"
Question after question could not
shake that simple, stolid sentence.
Kennedy frowned.
You may CO." he said finally, as If
reserving something for Michael later.
A sudden exclamation followed from
Elaine as Michael passed down the
hall again. She had moved over to
the desk, during the questioning, and
was leaning against it.
Inadvertently she had touched an
envelope. 1t was addressed, Craig
Kennedy"
Craig tore it open, Elaine bending
anxiously over his shoulder. frightened.
We read:
YOU HAVE INTERPRETED FOR
THE LAST TINE. 1T is THE END"
Beneath it stood the fearsome sign
OF the Clutching Hand!
The warning of the Clutching Hand
had no other effect on Kennedy than
the redoubling of his precautions for
safety. Nothing further happened that
night, however, and the next morning
found us early at the laboratory.
It was the late forenoon, when, aft
er a hurried trip down to the office, l
rejoined Kennedy at his scientific
workshop.
We walked down the street when a
big limousine shot past Kennedy
stopped in the middle of remark. He
had recognized the car. with a sort of
instinct.
At the same moment / saw a smil-
ing face at the window of the car. 1t
was Elaine Dodge
The car stopped in something less
than twice its length and then backed
toward us.
Kennedy, hat of, was at the window
in a moment. There were Aunt Jose
phine and Susie Martin, also
Where are you boys going?" asked
Elaine, with interest, then added with
a gayety that i'll concealed her real
anxiety, I'm SO glad to see you-to
see that-er-nothing has happened
from the dreadful Clutching Hand"
"Why, we were just going up to our
rooms" replied Kennedy.
Cant we drive you around?"
We climbed in and a moment later
were off The ride was only too short
for Kennedy. We stepped out in front
of our apartment and stood chatting
for a moment.
Some day want to show you tho
Craig was saying.
1T must be so-interesting!" ex-
claimed Elaine very enthusiastically.
Think of all the bad men you must
have caught"
Elaine hesitated. Would you like
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