The hummer. (Houston, Miss.) 1914-19??, 1915-07-16

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Take me to the cellar, nov" he
demanded
Michael led the way from the room
without protest the master criminal
following him closely.
Down into the cellar, BY a back
way, they went, Clutchlng Hand still
wearing his muzzle and Michael say
ing not a word.
Suddenly Clutching Hand turned on
him and seized him by the collar.
Nov, go upstairs. you" he NUT
tered, shaking him untn his teeth
fairly chartered, IND II you watch me
again-Ill kill you'll"
He thrust Michael away, and the
footman, overcome by fear, hurried
upstairs. still trembling and fearful,
Michael paused in the hallway.
He put his hand on his face where
the Clutching Hand had struck him.
Then he waited. muttering to himself.
AS be thought It over, anger took the
place Of fear. He slowly turned in
the direction Of the cellar.
Meanwhile. Clutohing Hand was
standing BY the electric meter. He
examined It carefully, feeling where
the wires entered and left It, and
starting to trace them out At last
he came to a point where II seemed
suitable to make a connection for
some purpose he had in mind.
Quickly he took some wire from his
bag and connected It with the electric
light wires, Next, he led these wires,
concealed. Of course, along the cellar
floor, in the direction Of the furnace.
The furnace was one Of the old hot
afr heaters and he paused before It
as though seeking something. Then
he bent down beside It and uncovered
a little tank.
He thrust his hand gingerly into II,
bringing It out quickly, The tank was
nearly full Of water.
Next from his capaclous bag he
took two metal poles, or electrodes,
and fastened them carefully to the
ends Of the wires, placing them at op-
posite ends of the tank In the water.
For several moments he watched.
The water inside the tank seemed the
same as before. only on each cleo
trode there appeared bubbles, on one
bubbles OF oxygen, on the other Of
hydrogen. The water was decompos-
ing under the current BY electrolysls.
Another moment be surveyed his
work to see that he bad left no loose
ends. Then he quietly let himself
out Of the house.
The next morning Rusty, who had
been Elaine's constant companion
since the trouble had begun. awakened
his mistress by licking her hand as It
hung Imply over the side Of her
bed.
She awakened with a start and put
her hand to her head. She felt ILL.,
Poor old fellow" she murmured,
half dazediy.
Rusty moved away again. wagging
his tail listlessly, The collie. too, felt
Ill
why, Miss Elaine-what ees ze
mattairi You are so palei" exclaimed
the maid. Marie. as she entered the
room a moment later with the morn
ing's mail on a salver.
Il don't feel well. Marie" she re-
piled, trying with her slender white
hand to brush the cobwebs from her
brain. IL wish you'd tell Aunt Jo-
sephine to telephone Doctor Hay
ward"
Yes. mademOiselle." answered
Marie.
Languidly Elaine took the letters
one by one of the salver.
Finally she selected one and slow
" tore It open. It had no superscrip-
ton. but It ct once arrested her at
tention and transhxed her with ter
Tor.
Il read;
you are sick this morning. To-
morrow you win be worse. The next
day you win die unless you discharge
Craig Kennedy"
Il was signed with the mystic trade
mark Of the fearsome Clutohing
Handl
Elaine drew back into the pillows,
horror stricken.
Quickly she called to Marie. GO
get Aunt Josebhine-right awayi'
And Marie almost few down the
han. Elaine seized The telephone and
called Kennsdy's number.
Kennedy, in his stained laboratory
apron was at work before bis table,
while was watching him with inter
est. when the telephone rang.
Without q word be answered the
call and I could zee q look Of per
turbation loss his face. knew Il
was from Elaine, but could ten moth
ing about the nature Of the message.
An instant later he almost tore on
the apron and threw on bis hat and
coat followed him as be dashed
out Of the laboratory.
This q terrible-tarrible" be NUT
tered. as be hurried across the campus
of The university 70 g taxioab stand.
a few minutes later. when We A.
rived at the Dodge mansion. Ne found
NHas rs~..-Aasa. 80 81. 49,. =. =