The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-04-20

but was expected at any moment.
Once in. was not going lightly to
give up that advantage. bethought
myself of his daughter Elaine, one Of
the most popular debutantes Of the
season, and sent in my card to her, on
a chance of interesting her and seeing
her father, writing on the bottom Of
the card: Would like to interview
Mr.. Dodge regarding Clutching Hand"
Summoning up what assurance l
had, which is sometimes considerable,
followed the butler down the hall as
he bore my card. AS he opened the
door of the drawingroom, caught q
vision of a slip of a girl In evening
clothes.
Elaine Dodge was both the ingenue
and the athlete-the thoroughly mod
ern type Of girl-equally at home with
tennis and tango, table talk and tea
Near her I recognized from his pic
lures Harry Bennett, the rising young
corporation lawyer, a mighty good
looking fellow. with an affable, pleas
ing way about him. perhaps thirty-fiv
years old or SO, but already prominent
and quite friendly with Dodge.
who is it, Jennings?" she asked.
"A reporter, Miss Dodge" answered
the butler, glancing superciliously back
at me. And you know how your father
dislikes to see anyone here at the
house." he added deferentially to her.
Miss Dodge" I pleaded, bowling as
II had known them all my life, 1--WE
been trying to find your father all the
evening. It's very important"
She looked up at me surprised and in
doubt whether to laugh or stamp her
pretty little foot in indignation at my
stupendous nerve.
She laughed you are very brave
young man." she rippled with a roguish
look at Benefits discontinue over the
interruption Of the tete-a-tete.
There was note Of seriousness in
1t, too, that made me ask quickly,
"Why?"
The smile fitted from her face, and
in its place came frank earnest ex-
preston, which later learned to like
and respect very much. MY father has
declared he will eat the very next re-
porter who tries to interview him
here" she answered.
was about to prolong the waiting
time by some jolly about such a stun
ming girl not having by any POSSIBLE
ity such cannibal of parent, when
the rattle Of the changing gears of a
car outside told of the approach of a
limousine.
The big front door opened and
Elaine flung herself In the arms of an
elderly. stern-faced. gray-haired man.
why. dad" she cried. where have
you been? / missed you so much at
dinner. I'll be SO glad when this ter
rible business gets cleared up. Tell
me. What is on your mind? What Is
it that worries you now?"
noticed then that Dodge seemed
wrought up and bit unnerved, for he
sank rather heavily into a chair,
brushed his face with his handkerchief
and breathed heavily. Elaine lowered
over him solicitously. repeating her
question.
With mighty effort he seemed to
get himself together. He rose and
turned to Bennett.
Harry" he exclaimed. i've got the
Clutching Handl"
The two men stared at each other.
EYES," continued Dodge. I've found
out how to trace it. and tomorrow
am going to set the alarms of the city
at rest by exposing"
Just then Dodge caught sight Of me.
For the moment ] thought perhaps he
was going to fulfill his threat.
Who the devil-why didn't you tell
me reporter was here, Jennings7" he
fputtered Indignantly. pointing toward
the door.
Argument, entreaty, were of no
avail. There was nothing to do but 60.
At least, reflected, had the great
er part Of the story-all except the one
big thing, however-the name Of the
criminal. But Dodge would know him
tomorrow!
/ hurried back to the Star to write
my story In time to catch the last
morning edition.
Meanwhile. II may anticipate my
story, | must tell Of what we later
learned had happened to Dodge SO
completely to upset him.
Ever since the Consolidated Mutual
had been hit by the murders he had had
many lines out In the hope Of enmesh-
ing the perpetrator. That night. as /
found out the next day, he had at last
heard Of clue. One Of the company's
detectives had brought in red-head-
ed, lame, partly paralyzed crook. who
enjoyed the expressive monniker Of
"Limpy Red" Limpy Red was
gunman of some renown. evil-faced
and. having nothing much to lose, des-
perate. Whoever the master criminal
OF the clutching hand might have been
he had seen a. to employ Limpy, but
had not taken the precaution of getting
rid of him soon enough when he was
through.
Therefore Limpy had q grievance,
and now descended under pressure to
the low level of Switching to Dodge in
his Office.
mo. governor" the trembling
wretch had said as he handed over a
grimy envelope, Il amt never seen
his face-but here Is directions how to
find his hangout"
As Limpy ambled out, he turned to
Dodge, Quivering at the enormity OF his