The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-02-11

lowed by the police and the detec.
tives, burst in.
FIRE.. cried one of the policemen,
leaping back to turn in an alarm from
the special apparatus upstairs.
All except Martin began beating out
the flames, using such weapons as
they already held in their hands to
batter down the door,
To Martin there was ore thing para.
mount-the jewels.
In the midst of the confusion, Elaine,
closely followed by her friend. Susie,
made her way fearlessly into the stit1e
of smoke down the stairs.
There are your jewels, Mr.. Martin,
cried Kennedy, kicking the precious
burlap bag with his foot as if it had
been so much ordinary merchandise,
and turning toward what was in his
mind the most important thing at
stake-the direction taken by the
agents of the Clutching Hand.
Thank heaven!" calculated Martin,
fairly bouncing on the bag and tearing
1t open. "They didn't get away with
them-after ALL" he exclaimed, exam
lining the contents with satisfaction.
Events were moving rapidly.
The limousine had been standing in
nocently enough at the curb near the
corner, with the taxicab close be-
hind it.
Less than ten minutes after they
had entered, three well-dressed men
came out of the vacant shop, appar-
emily from the tailor's above, and
climbed leisurely into their car.
AS the last one entered, he half
turned to the taxicab driver. hiding
from passers-by the sign of the Clutch
ing Hand, which the taxicab driver re-
turned in the same manner. Then the
big car whirled up the avenue.
All this we learned later from a
street sweeper who was at work near
by.
Down below, while the police and
detectives were putting out the fire,
Kennedy was examining the wall Of
the crooks had escaped.
"a secret door," he exclaimed, as
he paused after tapping alon.; the wall
to determine its character. You can
see how the force of the explosion has
loosened it."
Sure enough, when he pointed it out
to us, it was plainly visible. One of
the detectives picked up crowbar and
others. still with the hastily selected
implements they had seized to fight
the fire, started in, to pry it open.
AS it yielded Kennedy rushed his
way through: Elaine, always utterly
fearless, followed. Then the rest of
us went through.
There seemed to be nothing, how
ever, that would help us in the cellar
next door. and Kennedy mounted the
steps Of stairway in the rear
The stairway led to sort of store
room, full of barrels and boxes. but
otherwise characterless. When I ar
rived Kennedy was gingerlv holding
UP the smocks which tie crooks had
worn.
We're on the right trail" comment
ed Elaine as he showed them to her,
but where do you suppose the own
ers are?"
Craig shrugged his shoulders and
gave a quick look about. "Evidently
they came in from and went away by
the street" he observed, hurrying to
the door, followed by Elaine
On the sidewalk he gazed up the
avenue, then catching sight of the
street cleaner, called to him.
Yes, sor," replied the man. stolidly,
looking up from his work. 81 see three
gintlemen come out and get into an
automobile"
Which way did they go?" asked
Kennedy.
For answer the man ierked his
thumb over his shoulder in the general
direction uptown.
With keen glance. Kennedy strained
his eyes. Far up the avenue he could
descry the car threading its way in
and ou. among the others, just about
disappearing.
A moment later Craig caught sight
of the vacant taxicab and rocked his
finger at the driver, who answered
promptly by cranking his engine.
You saw that limousine standing
here?" asked Craig.
Yes" nodded the chauffeur. with a
show of alertness.
well, follow it," ordered Kennedy,
jumping into the cab.
YES, SIR"
Craig was just about to close the
door when a slight figure flashed past
us and dainty foot was placed on the
step.
Please, Mr.. Kennedy" pleaded
Elaine, ''let me go. They may lead to
my fathers slayer"
She said it so earnestly that Craig
could scarcely have resisted if he had
wanted to do SO.
Just as Elaine and Kennedy we're
moving off l came out of the vacant
store, with Bennett and the detectives.
"Craig!" cried Where are you
going?"
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