Omaha daily bee., 1915-04-04

lie was the ClutChinE Hand.
In spite Of the closed doors we could
now plainly hear Elaine's shrieks. Craig
the secretary and myself made a rush
for the door TO Benefits private office.
Finding It locked, we began to batter IT,
BY this time. however, Bennett had
hurled himself upon Elaine and was
slowly choking her.
Kennedy quickly found that it was i'm
possible to batter down the door in time
by ordinary means Quickly he seized
the typewriter and hurled It through the
pencils. Then he thrust his hand through
the opening and turned the catch.
AS we flung ourselves into the room
Bennett rushed into a closet in a corner
slamming the door behind him. II was
composed OF sheet iron and effectually
prevented anyone from breaking through
Kennedy and I tried vainly. however. to
pry 1t open.
While wo we're thus endeavoring to
force an entrance Bennett, in a sort OF
Closet. had put on the coat, hat and mask
which he invariably wore in the charac-
ter Of the Clutching Hand. Then he
cautiously opened a secret door In the
back of the closet and slowly made an
exit
Shouting a few directions to the secre-
tary, the clerks and Elaine. Kennedy
climbed through the window and darted
down the fire escape in swift pursuit
The CIutching Hand. however. managed
70 elude capture again. Turning the
street corner he leaped into a taxi which
happened to be standing there, and,
hastily giving the driver directions. was
driven rapidly away. BY the time Ken
needy reached the street Clutching Hand
had disappeared.
While these exciting events were occur
ring in Benefits office some queer do
Chinatown.
Deep underground, in one OF the cata-
combs known only to the innermost men,
bers Of the Chinese secret societies, was
Tong wah, popularity known as the
hider." engaged in some mysterious work.
A sinister looking Chinaman, dressed in
coolie costume. he was standing at table
in dim and musty, high-ceilinged cham
Der, faced with stone and brick. Before
him were eight odd-shaped Chinese walls,
and from these he was carefully measur-
ins certain proportions, as II connecting
some powerful potion.
He stepped back and looked around sus-
plciously as he suddenly heard footsteps
above. The next moment Long Sin, who
had entered through a trap door. climbed
down a long ladder and walked into the
room.
Long Sin took the bow1 in which the
liquor had been mixed and. having ex-
amined 1t, he gave nod and grunt of
satisfaction. Then he mounted the ladder
again and disappeared.
As soon as he had gone, Tong Wah,
picking up several Of the walls, went out
through an iron door at the end of the
room.
A few minutes later the Ciutchfng Hand
drove up to Long Sins house in the taxi
cab, and. after paying the chauffeur, went
to the door and knocked sharply.
In response to his knocking Long Sin
appeared on the threshold and motioned
TO Bennett to come in, evidently aston
ished to see him.
As he entered. Bennett made a secret
sign and said: IT am the Clutching Hand
Kennedy is close on my trail. and have
come to be hidden"
In tone which betrayed alarm and
fear the Chinaman intimated that he had
no plsoe in which Bennett could be con
cealed with any degree OF safety.
For a moment Bennett glared savagely
at Long Sin.
II possess hidden plumber worth seven
million dollars" he pleaded quickly, land
II by your aid I can make a getaway, a
seventh is yours"
The chinaman's eupidity was clearly