Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-03-13

the center of the room. as If on guard
while Clutching Hand sat before tn,
safe watching 1t intently.
someone at the door-Jennings II
answering the BELL" Michael whis
pered hoarsely.
"Confound it, muttered Clutchins
Hand, as both moved again behind thu
heavy velour curtains
IN so glad to see you, Mr.. Ken
nedy, greeted Elaine unaffectedly al
Jennings admitted us.
She had heard the bell and was com
Ing downstairs as we entered We
three moved toward the library and
someone switched on the lights
Craig strobe over to the safe. The
cold sweat on It had now turned to
icicles Craig's face clouded with
thought as he examined II more close.
iy There was actually a grooming
sound from within
IT can't be opened" he said to him,
self The time lock is set for tomor,
row morning."
outside, II we had not been. SO abb
soreed In the present mystery wa
might have seen Michael and the
Clutching 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 were
plugging. moment later, with loud
report and conclusion, the door blew
off.
A blast of cold air and flakes like
snow flew out Papers were scattered
on every side.
We stood gazing. aghast, seconu,
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.
Iaking 1t In table cover, he laid
1t on the table and opened II. Inside
was a peculiar shape flask, open at the
top, but like vacuum bottle.
"A Dewar flask" calculated Craig.
What is it?" asked Elaine, appeal.
ding to him.
Liquid air." he answered. "As II
evaporated, the terrific pressure of
expanding air In the safe increased
until 1t 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. II
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 a
boy, sir"
Question after question could not
shake that sin pie. stolid sentence,
Kennedy frowned.
You may go" he said finally. as II
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 1t.
Inadvertently she had touched an
envelope 1t was addressed. Craig
Craig tore It open, Elaine bending
lnxiously over his shoulder frightened.
We read:
YOU HAVE INTERPRETED FOR
THE LAST TIME. 1T IS THE END"
Beneath 1t stood the fearsome sign
# the Clutching Hand!
The warning Of the Clutching Hand
lad no other effect on Kennedy than
he redoubling of his precautions for
afety. Nothing further happened that
light however, and the next morning
ound US early at the laboratory. ,
1t was the late forenoon, when, aft. {
r hurried trip down to the office. I I
ejoined Kennedy at his scientific
We walked down the street when a I
liz limousine shot past. Kennedy &
topped in the middle of remark. He
ad recognized the car with a sort of {
lstinct {
At the same moment saw a smil. '
lg face at the window OF the car. II (
as Elaine Dodge I
The car stopped in something less v
ian twice its length and then backed I