The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-02-19


offices, hotels. banks and such places.
Kennedy examined the thing with
interest.
What is it?" asked.
"A new kinograph," he replied,
still gazing carefully at the rolled
up part of the paper Il have I'm
stalled 1t because it registers every
footstep on the floor OF our apartment.
We can't be too careful with this
Clutching Hand. want to know
whether we have had any visitors or
not. in our absence. This straight line
indicates that we have not. Wait
moment"
Craig hastily unlocked the door and
entered. Inside could see him pac-
ing up and down our modest quarters.
do you see anything, Walter?"
he called.
/ looked at the kinograph. The
pen had started to trace its line, no
longer even and straight, but zigzag,
at different heights across the paper
He came to the door. What do you
think of it," he inquired
Some idea,D answered enthusi-
astically.
We entered and fell to work on a
special Sunday story that had been
forced to neglect. l was not SO busy,
however, that | did not notice out of
the corner of my eye that Kennedy
had taken from its cover Elaine
Dodge's picture and was gazing at 1t
ravenously.
had finished as much of the article
as l could do then and was smoking
and reading it over. Kennedy was
still gazing at the picture Miss Dodge
had given him, then moving from place
to place about the room, evidently
wondering where it would look best. |
doubt whether he had done another
blessed thing since we returned.
He tried it on the mantel. That
wouldn't do. At last he held it up be-
side a picture Of Gallon, l think, Of
finger print and eugenics fame, who
hung on the wall directly opposite the
fireplace. Hastily he compared the
two. Elaine's picture was precisely
the same size.
Next he tore out the picture of the
scientist and threw II carelessly into
the fireplace. Then he placed Elaine's
| picture in Its place and hung it up
again, standing OFF to admire it.
| watched him gleefully. Was this
Craig2 Purposely moved my elbow
suddenly and pushed book with a
bang on the floor. Kennedy actually
jumped. | picked up the book with a
muttered apology. No, this was not
the same old Craig.
] Perhaps half an hour later was still
reading Kennedy was now pacing up
and down the room, apparently unable
to concentrate his mind on any but
one subject.
He stopped moment before the
| photograph, looked at 1t fixedly. Then
he started his methodical walk again,
hesitated, and went over to the tele-
phone, calling number which | rec
ognized.
"She must have been pretty well
done up by her experience" he said
apologetically, catching my eye. y
was wondering if--hello!-oh, Miss
Dodge-I-er--I-er-1ust called up to
see If you were all right"
| Craig was very much embarrassed
but also very much in earnest.
A musical laugh rippled over the
telephone. Yes, I'm all right, thank
you, Mr.. Kennedy-and put the pack
age you sent me into the safe, but"
| "Package?e frowned Craig. why,
sent you no package, Miss Dodge. In
the safe?"
why, yes, and the safe is all GOV
cred with moisture-and so cold"
"Moisture-cold?" he repeated
hastily.
I. Eyes. | have been wondering If 1t IL
all right. In fact, was going to cal
you up, only l was afraid you'd thinl
/ was foolish
Il shall be right over" he answered
hastily, clapping the receiver back OF
its hook Waiter" he added seizinl
his hat and coat, come on--hurry!"
A few minutes later we drove up II
taxi before the Dodge house ant
rang the bell.
Jennings admitted us sleepily.
1t could not have been long after w
left Miss Dodge, late in the afternoon
that Susie Martin, who had been duit'
worried over our long absence ate
the attempt to rob her father, droppet
in on Elaine. Wide-eyed, she had lis
tened to Elaine's story of what ha'
happened.
u And you think this Clutching Ham
I has never recovered the incriminatinl
! papers that caused him to murde
, your father?" asked Susie.
Elaine shook her head NO. Let M
show you the new safe I've bought
! Mr.. Kennedy thinks 1t wonderful"
II II should think you'd be proud Of it,
: admired Susie Il must tell father t
| get one, too"
At that very moment, If they ha
! known It. the Clutching Hand. wit
j his sinister, masked face, was perrin