Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-06-18
ELEVENTH EPISODE
THE HOUR OF THREE.

TIE MUM VT
With the ominous forefinger of his
Clutching Hand extended, the Master
Criminal emphasized his instructions
to his minions.
Perry Bennett, her lawyer, is in
favor again with Elaine Dodge" he
was saying. "She and Kennedy are
on the outs even yet. But they
may become reconciled. Then she'll
have that fellow on our trail again,
Before that happens we must get her
-see?"
1t was in the latest headquarters
to which Craig had chased the GRIM
inal in one of the toughest parts of
New York's great river front section.
Now" went on the Clutching Hand,
II want you, Slim, to follow them.
See what they do-where they go. It's
her birthday Something's bound to
you've got to do is to use your head.
Get me?"
+
1t was, as Clutching Hand had said,
Elaine's birthday. She had received
many callers and congratulations, in
Vulnerable costly and beautiful to-
kens of remembrance from her count
less friends and admirers. In the
conservatory of the Dodge house
Elaine, Aunt Josephine and Susie Mar
tin were sitting discussing not only
the happy occasion, but more, the many
strange events of the past few weeks.
We'll, said a familiar voice behind
them, what would certain blonde
young lady accept as birthday pres
ent from her family lawyer"
All three turned in surprise.
"Oh, Mr.. Bennett" cried Elaine.
How you startled us!"
Elaine hesitated. She was thinking
\ not SO much Of his words as of Ken
nedy. To them all, however, it
seemed that she was unable to make
up her mind what, in the wealth of
her luxury, what she would like.
Susie Martin had been wondering
whether, now that Bennett was here,
she was not de trop, as she looked, at
her wrist watch mechanically AS
she did So an idea occurred to her.
why not one of these?" she cried
impulsively, indicating the watch. "Fa-
ther has some beauties at the shop"
"Oh, good" exclaimed Elaine, how
sweet"
Then let's all go to the shop" said
Bennett. Miss Martin will personally
conduct the tour, and we shall have
our pick of the finest stock"
1t was too gay party to notice a
sinister figure following them in a cab
Chatting with animation, the three
moved over to the watch counter
while the crook, with determination
not to risk missing anything, entered
the shop door, too.
Mr.. Thomas" asked Susie as her
fathers clerk bowed to them, please
show Miss Dodge the wrist watches
father was telling about"
Unobserved, the crook walked over
near enough to hear what was going
on.
At last, with much banter and YET
care, Elaine selected one that was in
deed beauty and was about to snaI
1t on her dainty wrist when the clerl
interrupted.
I beg your pardon he suggested
"but I'd advise you to leave it to be
regulated, if you please"
Reluctantly Elaine handed it ovel
to the clerk.
A moment later they went out ant
entered the car again.
AS they did so, Slim, who had beer
looking over various things in tn,
next case as IL undecided, came up t,
the watch counter
I'm making present" he remarke,
confidentally to the clerk. How abou
those bracelet watches?"
The clerk pulled out some of tn,
cheaper ones.
NO." he said thoughtfully, pointin
out tray in the showcase, "somethin
like those"
He ended by picking out one ider
tically like that which Elaine had sc
lected, and started to pay for it.
Better have it regulated" repeate
the clerk
NO." he objected hastily, shakin
his head and paying the money quicl
ly. ITS a present-and I want II t.
night"
He took the watch and left the stor
hurriedly.
In the laboratory, Kennedy wa
working oyer an oblong oak box, pei
haps eighteen inches in length mn