The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-24

unnecessarily long In order to de-
stroy all recollection that they could.
Finally h, knew that he was in .
room in which others were present.
A moment later he felt them remove
the bandage from his eyes. and. blink
ing at the light. he could see hard
faced fellow. pale and weak. on
blood-stained couch. Over him bent
a masked man and another man stood
near by endeavoring by improyised
bandages to stop the flow of blood.
What can you do for this fel:ow?"
asked the masked man.
Doctor Martin, seeing nothing else
to do. for he was more than outnum-
bered now, bent down and examined
him
AS he rose, he said. "He will be
dead from loss Of blood by morning,
no matter IL he is properly bandaged."
rs there nothing that can save
him?" whispered the Clutching Hand
hoarsely.
Blood TRANSMISSION might save him."
replied the doctor. "But so much blood
would be needed that whoever gives
1t would be liable to die himself"
Clutching Hand stood silent mo-
ment, thinking, as he gazed at the
man who had been one of his chief
reliance. Then, with a menacing ges-
ture. he spoke in low. bitter tone:
She who shot him shall supply the
blood"
A few quick directions followed to
his subordinates, and as he made
ready to go he muttered, Keep the
doctor here. Don't let him stir from
the ROOM"
1t was just before early daybreak
when the Clutching Hand and his con-
federate reached the Dodge house in
the city and came up to the back door,
over the fences. AS they stood there
the Clutching Hand produced a mas.
ter key and started to open the door.
But before he did so he took out his
watch.
Let me see," he ruminated "rwen.
ty minutes past 4, At exactly half
past want you to do as told you
see?"
The other crook nodded.
You may CO." ordered the Clutch.
ing Hand.
AS the crook skunk away Clutching
Hand stealthily let himself into the
house. Noiselessly he prowled through
the halls until he came to Elaine's
doorway.
He gave hasty look up and down
the hall. There was no sound Quickly
he took syringe from his pocket and
bent down by the door. Inserting the
end under it, he squirted some liquid
through, which vaporized rapidly in
wide, fine stream. Of spray. Before he
could give an alarm Rusty was over
come by the noxious fumes, rolled
over on his back and lay still.
Outside. the other crook was wait
ing. looking at his watch. AS the hand
slowly turned the half.hour he
snapped the watch shut With quick
glance up and down the deserted
street, he deftly started up the rain
pipe that passed near Elaine's win.
dow.
This time there was no faithful
Rusty to give warning, and the second
intruder, after a glance at Elaine, still
sleeping, went quickly to the door,
dragged the insensibe dog out of the
way, turned the key and admitted the
Clutching Hand AS he did so he
closed the door.
Evidently the fumes had not
reached Elaine, or. If they had, the
thrush of fresh air revived her. for
she walked and quickly reached for
the gun. In an instant the other crook
had leaped at her. Holding his hand
over her mouth to prevent her scream.
ing, he snatched the revolver away be.
fore she could fire it.
In the meantime the Clutching Hand
had taken out some chloroform, ar'
rolling a towel in the form of cone.
placed it over her face.
When Elaine was completely under
the influence Of the drug they lifted
her out of bed, the chloroform cone
still over her face, and quietly carried
her to the door. which they had opened
stealthily.
Down stairs they carried her until
they came to the library with its new
safe where they placed her on a
couch.
At an early hour an express wagon
stopped before the Dodge house and
Jennings, half.dressed. answered the
bell.
We've come for that broken suit of
armor to be repaired" said a work
man.
Jennings let the men in. The armor
was still on the stand and the repair
ers took armor. stand and all, laying
1t on the couch, where they wrapped
1t in the covers they had brought for
the purpose. They lifted it up and
started to carry 1t out
BE careful" cautioned the thrifty
Jennings.
Rusty, now recovered, was barking
and smiling at the armor.
Kick the mutt off," growled one
man.
The other did so, and Rusty snarled
ana snapped at him. jennings took