The Ordway new era., 1915-04-30

face moved in md took a position in
the center Of the room. as II on guard.
while Clutching Hand sat before the
safe watching It intently. ar
| Someone at the door-Jennings is
answering the bell" Michael whis-
pered hoarsely. VII ......
"Confound iti" nputtered Clutching
Hand. as both moved again behind the
heavy velour curtains. -,
SIN SO glad to see you, Mr.. Ken
nedy." greeted Elaine unaffectedly as
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 it more close
ly. There was actually a groaning
sound from within.
TT 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 alb
sorbed In the present. mystery. we
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 1t was. had actually begun
to warp and bend. The plates were
bulging. A moment later, with loud
report and concussion. the door blew
off.
A blast of cold air and flakes like
snow flow out Papers were scattered
on every side.
We stood gazing. aghast. second,
then 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 1t.
That is the package that was sent"
cried Elaine. 'f
Taking It in table cover, he laid
It on the table and opened 1t. Inside
was peculiar shape flask. open at the
top, but like vacuum bottle.
"a Dewar flask" calculated Craig.
What is it," asked Elaine. appeal
ing to him.
Liquid air!" he answered. "As It
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." HS
We watched him. startled.
On the other side of the 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. '19r
Jennings looked blank
why" put in Elaine. Michael
brought 1t to me-"
Get Michael" ordered Kennedy.
A moment later he returned. IT
found him. going upstairs" reported
Jennings, leading Michael in.
Where did you get this package?'
shot out Kennedy.
"It was left at the door. sir. by a
boy, SIR" eN ~
Question after question could not
shake that simple. stolid sentence.
Kennedy frowned.
"You may CO." he said finally. as n
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. It was addressed, Craig
Kennedy"
Craig tore It open. Elaine bending
anxiously over his shoulder. frightened.
We read: -s
you HAVE INTERFERED FOR
THE LAST TIME. 1T IS THE END. "
Beneath It stood the fearsome sign
OF the Clutching Hand!
The warning OF the Clutching Hand
had no other effect on Kennedy than
the redoubling of his precautions for
safety. Nothing further happened that
night, however, and the next morning
found us early at the laboratory.
It was the late forenoon. when. aft
er hurried trip down to the office, I
re1oined Kennedy at his scientific
workshop.
We walked down the street when a
big limousine shot past. Kennedy
stopped in the middle Of a remark. He
had recognized the car. with sort Of
instinct. ~
At the same moment saw a smil-
ing face at the window Of the car. It
was Elaine Dodge. asal
The car stopped in something less