The Dermott news., 1915-07-08
In spite of closed doors we could

| INciIntdy AOuhu lbdl II was iiiPOo
sible to batter down the door in time
by any ordinary means. Quickly he
seized the typewriter and hurled it
through the panels Then he thrust
his hand through the opening and
turned the catch.
As we flung ourselves into the room
Bennett rushed into closet in a cor
ner, slamming the door behind him. 1t
| was composed of sheet iron. and effec-
tually prevented anyone from break
ing through. Kennedy and tried vain
ly, however. to pry ii open.
While we were thus endeavoring to
force an entrance Bennett, in sort
of closet had put on the coat, hat
and mask which he invariably wore
in the character of the Clutching
Hand. Then he cautiously opened
secret door in the back of the closet
and slowly made an exit.
Meanwhile the secretary had been
doing his best 10 revive Elaine. who
was on the floor. hysterical and half
unconscious from the terrible shock
she had experienced.
whereabouts. Kennedy and | examined
the wall of the office. thinking there
might be some button or secret spring
which would open the closet door.
While We were doing SO the door
OF a large safe in the secretary's Of
fee gradually opened. and the Clutch
ing Hand emerged from It. stepping
carefully toward the door leading to
the outer office. intent on escaping in
that direction.
At that moment caught sight OF
| him. and. leaping into the seeretarys
! office. I drew my revolver and ordered
him to throw up his hands He obeyed.
Holding up both hands, he slowly
drew near the door to his private Of
fee
Suddenly he dropped one hand and
pressed hidden spring in the wall
Instantly heavy iron door shot out
and closed over the wooden deer. En-
trance to the private office was abso-
lutely cut OF
With an angry snarl the Glutching
| Hand leaped at me.
As he did so l fred twice
He staggered back.
The shots were heard by Kennedy
and Elaine as we'll as the secretary.
and al the same instant they discoy-
cred the iron door which barred the
entrance TO the seeretary's Office
Rushing into the outer office they
found the clerks eXcitedly attempting
TO open the door OF the seeretary's
office which VAS locked Kennedy
drew revolver and shot through the
lock bursting open the deer.
| They rushed into the room.
Clutchiug Hand vas apparently seat
ed in chair at a desk, his face bur
led in his arms. while I was appar-
emily disappearing through the door
Kennedy and the clerks Pounced
upon the figure in the chair and tore
off his mark To their establishment
they discovered it was myself
My shots had missed. and GlutchinG
Hand had leaped on me With mad
dened fury.
Dressed in my coat and hat which
he had deftly removed after everpow-
r. BTlnE NE, AAuAtitiAE AlAtaA AAthA - 'A'tN
time climbed through the window of
the outer office and was making his
way down the fire escape to the street.
He reached the foot OF the iron steps,
leaped OF and ran quickly away.
shouting a few directions to the sec
rotary. the clerks and Elaine. Kennedy
climbed through the window and dart
ed down the fire escape in swift pur-
suit
The Cutching Hand, however, man
aged to elude capture again.
While these exciting events were
occurring in Benefits office some
queer doings were in progress in the
heart OF Chinatown.
Deep underground. in one Of the
oatacombs known only to the inner
most members OF the Chinese secret
societies. was Tong Wah, popularity
known as the hider" engaged in
some mysterious work.
Before him were eight odd-shaped
Chinese walls, and from these he was
carefully measuring certain proper
tons. as II connecting some powerful
potion.
He stepped back and looked around
suspiciously as he suddenly heard
footsteps above. The next moment
| Long Sin. who had entered through a
trap door. climbed down a long lad
der and walked into the room.
Approaching Tong Wah. he asked
When will the death drink be
ready"
1t is now prepared" was the re-
ply.
A few minutes later the Clutching
Hand drove up to Long Sins house in
the taxicab and, after paying the
chauffeur. went 10 the door and
knocked sharply.
In response to his knocking. Long
Sin appeared on the threshold and mo-
toned to Bennett to come in, evident
ly astonished TO see him.
Aa ha pntered Rpnnett made a Sc