The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1915-04-02
THE IDEAL THEATRE
THE EXPLOITS OF ELAIN

A4OlINOIludltu
Of which Taylor Dodge is presi-
Vdent. has suffered considerable /
loss through the mysterious rob- /
berries of the master criminal /
known as "The cIutching Hand"
Perry Bennett, a young lawyer,
assistant to Dodge, is endeavOr-
ing to discover the criminal. Be
ing of an affable and pleasing !
personality, he creates a deep inn
preston upon Elaine, his en-
ployer's beautiful daughter.
Dodge is visited by Limpy Red, a
gunman wronged by "The Clutch
ing Hand" Limpy Red advises
him how the mysterious crookcan
he found and gives him directions
to find his lair. Dodge dismis-
ses the gunman, and on return
ing to his Office finds a mysteri-
Gus note, advising him to at once
destroy the directions received
II is signed by a we'll drawn pic
ture of a Clutching Hand. Great
~ ptlbuIDths nt AtOul ITO ~ his
home. Stepping out of his linn
CUISINE, he is surprised to find an
envelope with his enemys trade
mark pasted on the door. En-
tering his home he is met by
Elaine, Bennett and jameson,
reporter. He refuses to be in
terviewed by the reporter, and en-
ters his library, where he depOs-
its Limpy Reds directions in his
safe. Jameson, hearing Dodge
remark that he has discovered
1.-THE cIutching Hand" hastens
to his friend, Craig Kennedy,
noted detective, and tells him the
news. Kennedy is greatly eX-
cited by this knowledge, and call
ing Jameson to follow him, has
tens on his way to Dodge's home
remarking that he fears for bod
ge's life. Meanwhile, as night
has fallen, two masked figures
approach DOdge's home, and one
of them. forcing his way into the
cellar, dragging wires, approach
es the furnace pipe, and attaches
them to it. Dodge, in his Ii
brary above, as a precaution, re
moves Limpy Reds correspond
ence from Che safe, and secretes
it in a hidden recess in the wall,
and places a fake envelope in its
place. Turning to answer his
telephone, he steps on an iron
register in the floor. AS he
grasps the telephone, there is a
powerful electric flash, and bod
ge sinks lifeless to the floor. The
deadly wires below have done
their work. In a few minutes the
masked intruder enters the Ii
brary, notes the dead man, and
approaches the safe. Mixing
some peculiar powders, he places
them on the top Of the safe, and
ignites a fuse. There is a blind
ing flash, and Immediately a hole
burned through the top of the
safe. The robber puts in his
hand, and pulls out the envelope
which he supposes contains Linn
by Reds confession, and makes
his exit. His partner, searching
out Limpy Red, Stays the squeal-
er, whom he followed from a low
dive.
Kennedy, arrives at the Dodges'
home, arOuses the servants, and
explains his fears for their mas
ter's life. Hearing the whining
of Dodge's dog they hasten to
the library and there discover tho
victim Of 1.-THE clutohing Hands,
vengeance. The detective i'm
mediately searches for clues, and
discovers finger prints on a plas-
ter bust. Thoroughly examining
them he is greatly surprised to
notice that they are his own
finger prints. He realizes the
cunning villain with whom he ha5
to cope. Bennett, consoling the
grief stricken Elaine, registers a
solemn vow TO consecrate his life
to bringing"The cIutching Hand"
to justice.
Watch for the next Episode,
1.-THE Twilight Sleep"