The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-05-18

Clutching Hand sign.
We jumped to our feet. Kennedy
rushed to the window and slammed it
shut, while seized the key from Mi
chael's pocket, opened the door and
called for help.
A moment before, on the roof of a
building across the street, one might
have seen bent, skulking figure.
His face was copper colored and on
his head was a thick thatch of mat
ted hair. He looked like South
American Indian, in very dilapidated
suit of cast-off American clothes.
He had slipped out through a door
way leading to a fight of steps from
the roof to the hallway of the tene-
ment, and, like one of his native ven-
'omous serpents, worked his way down
the stairs again.
My cutlery brought a veritabIe bat
talon Of aid. The hotel proprietor,
the negro waiter and several others
dashed upstairs, followed shortly by
a portly policeman.
Craig took the policeman into his
confidence, showing him the dart and
explaining about the poison. The off,
Ger stared blankly.
Il must get away, too" hurried on
Craig. Officer, will leave you to
take charge here. You can depend on
me for the inquest"
The officer nodded.
Come on, Walter" whispered
Craig, eager to get away. then adding
the one word, "Elainel"
followed hastily, not slow to I'M
derstand his fear for her.
Nor we're Craig.s fears groundless.
In spite of ali that could be done for
her, Elaine was still in bed, much
weaker now than before
More than that, the Clutching Hand
had not neglected the opportunity.
either.
Suddenly, Just before our return,
stone had come hurting through the
window, without warning of any kind,
and had landed on Elaine's bed.
Below, as we learned some time aft
erwards, a car had drawn up hastily
and the eviLfaced crook whom the
Clutching Hand had used to rid him
self Of the informer, 'Limpy Red" had
leaped out and hastily hurled the
stone through the window, as quick
ly leaping back into the car and
whisking away.
Around the stone was wrapped a
piece Of paper on which was the ON
nous warning. signed as usual by the
Hand:
Michael is dead
Tomorrow, you.
"Then Kennedy.
stop before it Is too late"
Elaine had sunk back into her pill
lows, paler than ever from this sec
ond shock.
It was Just then that Kennedy and
/ arrived and were admitted.
"Oh, Mr.. Kennedy" cried Elaine.
handing him the note.
Craig took 1t and read. Miss
Dodge" he said, as~he held the note
out to me, you are suffering from ar
senic poisoning-but don't know yet
how it is being administered"
He gazed about keenly. Meanwhile.
/ had taken the crumpled note from
him and was reading it. Somehow, I
had leaned against the wall. AS I
turned, Craig happened to glance at
me.
'For heavens sake, Walter" heard
him exclaim. what have you been
up against?'
He fairly leaped at me and felt
him examining my shoulder where
had been leaning on the wall Some
thing on the paper had come of and
left mark on my shoulder. Craig
looked puzzled from me at the wall.
'Arsenici" he cried.
He whipped out a pocket lens and
looked at the paper This heavy,
fuzzy paper is fairly loaded with it.
powdered" he reported.
Kennedy paced the room Sudden
ly, pausing by the register, an idea
seemed to strike him.
Walter" he whispered, come down
cellar with me-"
"Oh! Be CAREFUL" cried Elaine. anx-
ious for him
Il WILL" he called back
As he flashed his pocket bulls-eye
about his gaze fell on the electric