The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1915-07-15

enough, there was a sound outside.
They opened the window cautiously,
A dog was scratching on the door. en-
deavoring to get in. 1t was Rusty.
I think it's her dog said the man,
turning, Wed better let him in.
Someone might see him"
The other nodded and moment
later the door opened and in ran
Rusty. Straight to Elaine he went,
starting to lick her hand.
"Right-her dog" exclaimed the 9th
er man, drawing gun and hastily lev
cling it at Rusty.
Don't cautioned the first. 1T would
make too much noise. You'd better
choke him!'
The fellow grabbed for Rusty. Rusty
was too quick He jumped, Around
the room they ran. Rusty saw the
wide-open window-and his chance.
Out he went and disappeared, leaving
the man swearing at him.
moments argument followed, then
they wrapped Elaine in the blankets
alone, still bound and gagged, and car
ried her out.
In the secret den the Clutching Hand
was waiting, gazing now and then at
his watch, and then at the wounded
man before him. In chair his first
assistant sat, watching Doctor Martin.
A knock at the door caused them to
turn their heads. The crook opened it,
and in walked the other crooks who
-
.armor.
Elaine was now almost conscious, as
they sat her down in a chair, and part
ly Ioosed her bonds and gag. She
gazed about, frightened,
ooh, help! help!" she screamed, as
she caught sight of the now familiar
mask OF the CIutching Hand.
Call all you want-here, young
lady" he laughed unnaturally.
Now, doc" he added harshly to
Doctor Martin. 1T was she who shot
him. Her blood must save him.
Doctor Martin recoiled at the
thought of torturing the beautiful
young girl before him.
"Are-you willing-to have your
tDlOOu u duSiQS6u. lie pdIlSycQ
''No, no, no." she cried in horror.
Doctor Martin turned to the des-
perate criminal q cannot do it"
The deuce VI can't"
A cold steel revolver pressed down
on Doctor Martins stomach.
The other crooks next carried
Elaine, struggling, and threw her
81
Doctor Martin, still covered by the
gun, bent over the two, the hardened
criminal and the delicate, beautiful
girl. Clutching Hand glared fendish-
ly, insanely.
From his bag he took a little piece
of something that shone like silver.
A moment later, Doctor Martin
looked up at the CIutching Hand and
nodded, We'll, it's working"
All were now bending over the two.
Doctor Martin bent closest over
Elaine. He looked at her anxiossly,
felt her pulse, watched her breathing,
then pursed up his lips,
This is-dangerous," he ventured,
gazing askance at the grim Clutching
Hand.
Cant help it, came back laconical-
ly, and relentlessly.
The doctor shuddered.
The man was a veritable vampire.
Outside the deserted house, Kennedy
and l were looking helplessly about.
Suddenly Kennedy reached into his
nd nd cd
police whistle. He blew three sharp
blasts.
Would it bring help?
While we were thus despairing, the
continued absence of Doctor Martin
from his home had alarmed his fam
lily, and had set in motion another
train of events.
When he did not return and could
not be located at the place to which
he was supposed to have gone, several
policemen had been summoned to his
house, and they had come finally, with
real bloodhounds from suburban sta
tion.
It had not been long before the party
came across the deserted runabout be-
side the road. There they had stopped
for a moment.
1t was just then that they heard
Kennedy's call, and one of them had
been detailed to answer it.
We'll, what do you want?" asked
the officer, cycling Kennedy suspi-
ciously as he stood there with the
armor. whats them pieces Of tin