The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-17
SIXTH EPISODE
"The Vampire"

Kennedy went the next day to the
Dodge house, and, as usual, Perry Ben
nett. Elaine's lawyer, was there in the
library with Elaine, still going over
the Clutching Hand case in their en-
deavor to track down the mysterious
master criminal.
Bennett seemed as deeply as ever
in love with Elaine. Still, as Jennings
admitted Craig, it was sufficiently evil
dent by the manner in which Elaine
left Bennett and ran to greet Craig
that she had the highest regard for
him
I've brought you little document
that may interest YOU remarked Ken
needy, reaching into his pocket and
pulling out an envelope.
Elaine tore it open and looked at
the paper within
"Oh, how thoughtful Of you!" she
exclaimed in surprise.
1t was a permit from the police made
out in her name allowing her to car
ry a revolver.
A moment later, Kennedy reached
into his coat pocket and produced a
little automatic which he handed to
her.
Thank you," she cried, eagerly.
Elaine examined the gun with inter-
est, then, raising it, pointed it play
fully at Bennett.
"Oh. no, MOI" exclaimed Kennedy,
taking her arm quickly and gently, de-
f1ecting the weapon away. You
mustn't think it is a toy. 1t explodes
at mere touch of the trigger-when
that safety ratchet is turned"
Bennett had realized the danger and
had jumped back, almost mechanical
ly. AS he did so, he bumped into a
suit of medieval armor standing by
the wall, knocking it over with a re-
sounding crash.
Il beg pardon" he calculated, I'm
very sorry. That was very awkward
of me-"
Jennings, who had been busy about
the portieres at the doorway, started
to pick up the fallen knight.
'Tco bad. too bad" apologized Ben
nett profusely. Il really forgot how
close l was to the thing"
"Oh, never mind" returned Elaine
little crestfallen, 1T is smashed all
send for someone to repair it."
1t was late that night that masked
figure succeeded in raising itself to
the narrow ornamental ledge under
Elaine's bedroom window.
Elaine was light sleeper, and, be
sides, Rusty, her faithful collie, nov
fully recovered from the poison, was
in her room.
Rusty growled and the sudden. noise
awakened her.
Startled, Elaine instantly thought oil
the automatic She reached under her
pillow, keeping very quiet, and drew
forth the gun that Craig had given
her. Stealthily concealing her actions
under the covers, she leveled the auto
matte at the figure silhouetted in he1
window and fired three times.
The figure fell back.
Down in the street below, the as
sistant of the Clutching Hand who
had waited while Taylor Dodge was
.electrocuted, was waiting as his con
federate, pitts Slim"-which indicat
ed that he was both wiry in stature
and libelous in delegating his nativity
made the attempt.
AS Slim came tumbling down, hav
ing fallen back from the window above
MORALLY wounded, the confederate lift
ed him up and carried him out of sigh
hurriedly.
Elaine, by this time, had turned or
the lights and had run to the window
to look out. Rusty was barking loud
ly.
In side street near by stood a wait
ing automobile, at the wheel of which
sat another of the emissaries of the
Clutching Hand The driver looked
up, startled, as he saw his fellow
hurry around the corner carrying the
wounded pitts Slim" 1t was tn,
work of just a moment to drop thu
wounded man, as comfortably as pos
sible under the circumstances, in tn,
rear seat. while his pals started tn,
car on with jerk in the hurry of es
cape.
Jennings, having hastily slipped hi
trousers on over his pajamas, cam,
running down the hall, while Marie
frightened. came ia the other direC
ton. Aunt Josephine appeared a few
seconds later, adding to the genera
excitement.
What's the natter" she asked
anxiousiy.
"A burglar, / think exclaime,
Elaine. still holding the gun in he