The Dermott news., 1915-06-17

son will lead you to 1t. Come. Wal ter he added, picking up the bags
 
 Ten minutes later, outside the new headquarters, a crouched-up figure, carrying a small package. his face hidden under his soft hat and up- turned collar could have been seen sinking along until he came to the steps
 He went up and peered through the aperture of the doorway Then he rang the bell Twice he raised his hand and clenched it in the now ia , miliar clutch
 4 crook inside saw 1t through the aperture and opened the door The figure entered and almost before the door WAS shut tied the masking hand kerchef over his face which hid his identity from even the most trusted lieutenants The crook bowed to the chief. who. with a growl as though of recognition moved down the hall.
 As he came To the room from which Slim had been sent on his mission. the same group was seated in the thick tobacco smoke
 You fellows clear out. he groWied T want to De alone
 The old man is peeved % muttered one outside. as they left.
 The weird figure eazed about the room to be sure that he was alone
 When Craig and left the police he had given me most minutl iustruc- tions which was now following out to the letter
 T want you to hide there he said. indicating a barrel back of the house next to the hangout When you see wire come down from the headquar. ters. take | and carry Il across the lot to the old house Attach 1t 10 the bell; then wait When it rings. raid the Clutching Hand joint.
 waited what seemed to be an in terminabe time back of the barrel Finally. however. saw a coil of fine wire drop rapidly 10 the ground from window somewhere above. l made q dash for it. as though were trying to rush the trenches seized my prize and. without looking back 10 see where It came from beat nasty retreat
 Around the lot skirted. until at last I reached the place where the police were waiting Quickly we fastened the wire to the bell
 We waited
 Not a sound from the bell
  ID in 'he room in the joint the huuched up figure stood by the table. He had taken his hat of and placed 1t carefully ea Che table and was now waiting
 Suddenly noise at the door startled , him He listened Then he backed , away from the door and drew revol- , yer
 As the door slowly opened there en- tered another figure hat over his eyes, collar up. handkerchief over his face. the exact counterpart of the first
 For moment each elared at the other
 Hands ap'" shouted the first fig ure hoarsely moving the gun and closing the door with his foot
 Tho newcomer slowly raised his crooked hand ever his head, as the blue steel revolver caped meuacingly
 With quick movement of the other hand the first sinister figure removed the handkerchief from his face and straighteued up.
 + Mas Kennedy
 Come over 10 the center Of the room ordered Kennedy
 Cutchius Hand obeyed. cycling his captor closely
 Now lay your weapons on the ia ble
 lie tossed down revolver
 The two still faced each other
 Take of that handkerchief,'
 IL was tense moment Slowly Glutching Hand started to obey Then he stopped Kennedy was just about 10 thunder Go on, when the criminal calmly remarked You've got ME all right Kennedy, but in twenty minutes Elaine Dodge will be dead"
 Ho said fl with a nonchalance that might have deceived anyone less as tute than Kennedy Suddenly there flashed over Craig the words THE TRICK WILL BE PULLED OFF AT THREE O'CLOCK"
 There was no fake about that. Ken nedy frowued menacingly. If he l killed Clutching Hand Elaine would l die. If he fought he must either kill f or be killed If he handed Clutchine r Hand over Elaine was lost. He looked at his watch. It was twenty-five min Y. utes of three.
 { What do you mean-tell me-" de - manded Kennedy with forced calm.
 Yesterday MT Bennett bought a l wrist watch for Elaine" the Clutching l Hand said quietly. They left 1t tC l be regulated, One of my men bought ? one just like it. Mine was delivered to her today"
 "A likely story" doubted Kennedy