Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-03
NEW YoRK's MYSTERIOUS MASTER CRIMINAL
PERFECTs ANOTHER COUP.
CITY POLICE COMPLETELY BAFrLEp

BANKER ana trustee or the university he eK-
planned mot a clue-except warning letter
signed with this mysterious clutching fist. Last
week It was the robbery of the Haxworth jewels
and the killing OF old Haxworth Again that
curious sign of the hand Then there was the
dastardy attempt Sherburne, the steel mag
nate. Not trace OF tho assailant except the same
clutchng fist. SO It has gone. Jamsson-the most
alarming and inexplicable series of murders that
has ever happened in this country And nothing
but this uncanny hand to trace them by"
The editor paused moment, then exclaimed:
why, this fellow seems to take a diabolical-I
might almost say pathologieal-pleasure in crimes
Of violence revenge. avarice and self-protectlon
Sometimes 1t seems II he delights in the pure
devtry Of the thing. II is weird"
He leaned over and spoke in a low, tense tone
strangest Of all. the tip has Just come to US that
Fletcher, Haxworth, Sherburne and all the rest OF
these wealthy men were insured in the Consoli-
dated Mutual Life. Now, Jameson. want you to
find Taylor Dodge. the president and interview
him. Get what you can, at any cost"
had naturally thought first OF Kennedy but
there was no time now to call him up, and besides,
must see Dodge Immediately.
Dodge, discovered over the telephone, was not
at home nor at any Of the clubs to which ne be-
longed. Late though II was, l concluded that he
was at his office. No amount OF persuasion could
and shall tell soon what was going on there, de-
termined about o'clock, that the best way TO get
at Dodge was to go to his house on Fifth avenue,
IL had to camp on his front doorstep until morn
ing. The harder found the story to get the more
wanted II.
With some misgivings about being admitted, /
rang the bell of the splendid, though not very
modern, Dodge residence. An English butler, with
a nose that must have been his fortune opened
the door and gravely informed me that Mr. Dodge
was not at home. but was expected at any moment
Once In, Twas not going lightly to give up that
advantage bethought myself OF his daughter
Elaine, one OF the most popular debutantes of the
season. and sent In my card to her. on a chance
Of interesting her and see her father. writing
on the bottom OF the card: Would like to inter-
view Mr.. Dodge regarding Clutching Hand"
Summoning up what assurance had which
Is sometimes considerable followed the butler
down the hall as he bore my card. As he opened
the door OF the drawing room, I caught q vision
OF slip OF girl in evening clothes
Elaine Dodge was both the ingenue and the
athlete-the thoroughly modern type Of girl
equally at home with tennis and tango. table talk
ana tea. Vivaeious eyes that limited at stunning
amber brown sparkled beneath masses OF the most
wonderful auburn hair Her pearly teeth. when
she smiled, were marvellous And she smiled
often. for life to her seemed continuous film OF
enjoyment.
Near her recognized from his pictures Harry
Bennett. the rising young corporation lawyer a
mighty good looking fellow. with an affable pleas
Ing way about him. perhaps s5 years old or So
but already prominent and quite friendly with
Dodge.
On table saw a book. as though Elaine had
cast II down when the lawyer arrived 10 call on
the daughter under pFetense Of waiting for her
father. Crumpled ON the table was the Star. They
had read the stery.
Who is II, Jenningsl" she asked
"A reporter. Miss Dodge" answered the butler
slaHeins sapeFeihOusiy back at me- And YOU
know how yeur father dslikes to see anyone here
at the house." he added defereAtially to her.
took in the situation at a glance Bennstt
was trying not 30 look discourteous but this was
call on Elaine. and II had been interrupted.
could expect no help from thai quarter sun
faneied that Elaine was not averse to trying To
pque her visitor. and determined at least 10 try IL
Miss Dodge" pleaded. bowing as II I had
known them all my life. i've been trying TO find
your father all the evening It's very important
She looked up at me surprised and In doubt
whether to laugh or stamp her pretty little FOOT
In indignation at my stupendous nerve
She laughed ''You are a very brave younf
man" she rippled with a roguish look at Ben
pett's discontinue over the interruption of IN,
tete-a-tete.
There was a note OF seriousness in it. too, thai
made me ask quickly. "whyR"
The smile fitted from her face and in its plae.
came frank earnest expression. which I Later
learned to like and respect very much. M,
father has declared he win eat the very next re