The Springdale news., 1915-04-02

NAC1P+ 'A1Aps AhNfoSAs oAASSs They are strangling mel"
 The effect was terrific.
 Clutchlng Hand and Dan, hardened in crime as they were, feti pack, dazed. overcome TOT tne moment at the startling effect
 The3 looked abeut No a soul.
 Then. to their utter consternation, from the helmet again came the deep, vibrant warning
 Help Murder Potice."
 Kennedy and had been listening over the voeaphone, for the moment nonplused at the fellows daring
 Then we heard from the uncanny instrument: For Heavens sake, Chief hurry. The Falsers have fallen down. The girl herself is coming
 What it meant we did not know. But Craig was almost beside himself, as he ordered me to get the police by tel ephone, if there was any way to block them. Only instant action would count. however What to do?
 We could hear the master crin- inal plainly fumbling now
 Yes, that's the Clutching hand. he repeated.
 Wait I cautioned. someone else is comingi"
 By sort of instinct he seemed to recognize the sounds
 "Elaine,' he exclaimed paling.
 Instantly followed, in less than I can tell it, the sounds of suppressed shuff1e
 He has seized her-gagged her. 1 cried in an agony of suspense.
 We could now hear everything that was going on in the library. Craig was wildly excited As for me, was speeehless. Here was the vocaphone we had installed It had warned us But what could we do?
 looked blankly at Kennedy He was equal to the emergency.
 He calmly turned the switch
 Then, at the top of his lungs he shouted: Help Help! Policel They are strangling mel"
 looked at him in amazement What did he think he could do-blocks away?
 Tt works both ways" ne muttered. Help Murder Poliee,"
 We could hear the astonished curs- ing of the two men. Also down the hall. now. We could hear footsteps ap- preaching in answer to his call for help-Aunt Josephine Jennings. Marie and others. all shouting out that there were cries in the library
 The deuce! What is it?" muttered gruff voice
 The man in armor," hissed Clutch ing Hand
 Here they come. too, Chiefin There was parting seuffle.
 'There-take that,"
 Aloud metallic ringing came from the vocaphone
 Then silence, What had happened? = In the library. recovering from their crock of surprise, Dan cried out to the Clutehng Hand. The deuce, What Is it."
 Then looking about, Clutching. Hand quickly took in the situation.
 The man in armor," he pointed out.
 Dan was almost dead with fright at the weird thing.
 Here they come, too Chief" he gasped, as. down the hall he could hear the family shouting out that someone was in the library.
 With a parting thrust Clutching Hand sent Elaine reeling.
 She held on to only corner of the papers. He had the greater part of them. They were torn and destroyed, anyway.
 Finally, with all the venomousness of which he was capable. Clutching Hand rushed at the armor suit, drew back his gloved fist, and let 1t shoot out squarely in vicious solar plexus blow
 "There-take that" he roared
 The suit rattled furiously Out of 1t spilled the vocaphone, with bang on the floor.
 An instant later those in the hall rushed in But the Clutehing Hand and Dan were gone out of the win dow, the criminal carrying the greater part of the precious papers.
 Some ran to Elaine, others to the window The ladder had been kicked away, and the criminals were gone. Leaping into the waiting car, they had been whisked away.
 Hello! Hello. Hello,n called a voice. apparently from nowhere
 What is that?" cried Elaine.
 She had risen by this time, and was gazing about, wondering at the strange voice. Suddenly her eye fell on the armor scattered all over the floor. She spied the little oak box.
 "Elaine,"
 Apparently the voice came from that. Besides it had familiar ring to her ears.
 "Yes-Craig," she cried.
 That is my vocaphone-the little box that hears and talks" came back