Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-03

tndt mas ever happened IN tills couu'
try. And nothing but this uncanny
hand TO trace them by"
The editor paused a moment, then
exclaimed "Why, this fellow seems
to take a diabolical--I might almost
say ological-pleasure in crimes
Of violence, revenge, ayarice and self
protection Sometimes II seems as i
he delights in the pure devlltry OF the
thing. II is weird"
He leaned over and spoke In low
tense tone. "Strangest of all, the tlr
has just come to us that Fletcher. Hax'
worth, Sherburne and all the rest OF
these wealthy men were insured In
the Consolidated Mutual Life. Now
jameson, want you to find Taylor
Dodge, the president, and interview
him. Get what you can, at any cost.
had naturally thought first of Ken
needy. but there was mo time now &c
call him up and, besides, | must see
Dodge Immediately.
DouSI, 4 uiotuNtitu ONtI Nhc tNi1
phone, was not at home nor at any OF
the clubs to which he belonged. Late
though 1t was concluded that he was
at his office. No amount OF persuasion
could get me past the door, and
though found out later and shall tel
soon what was going on there, | de
termined, about nine o'clock, that the
best way to get at Dodge was to go &c
his house on Fifth avenue, If | had
to camp on his front doorstep unit
morning. The harder found the story
to get the more wanted IT,
With some misgiwngs about beint
admitted, ! rang the bell of the splen
did. though not very modern. Dodge
residence. An English butler, with g
nose that must have been his fortune
opened the door and gravely informed
me that Mr.. Dodge was not at home
but was expected at any moment
Once in, | was not going lightly tC
give up that advantage. | bethoughi
myself of his daughter Elaine, one OF
the most popular debutantes of the
season, and sent in my card to her, OF
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
had, which is sometimes considerable
/ followed the butler down the hall as
he bore my card. AS he opened the
door of the drawing-room, caught
vision of 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 | 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-hve
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 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 a 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 hin
here" she answered.
| was about to prolong the WAITING
time by some jolly about such a stun
ming girl not having by any possbil
ity such a cannibal of a parent, wher
the rattle of the changing gears of
car outside told of the approach of
limousine.
The big front door opened ant
Elaine flung herself in the arms of AT
elderly, stern-faced, gray-haired man
why, dad, she cried, where have
you been? | missed you so much al
dinner. III be so glad when this ter
rible business gets cleared up. Tell
me. What is on your mind? What is
q that worries you now"
noticed then that Dodge seemed
wrought up and bit unnerved, for he
sank rather heavily into 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, 1--WE got the
Ciutching Handl"
The two men stared at each other
YES" 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"