Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-24

vson. Then they drove off with II. &C
eompanled by a parting vollcy from
Jensen.
In an unfreauented street, perhaps
half mile away. tho wagon stopped.
With a keen glance around. the driver
and his helper made cure that no one
was about.
such shaking up es you've given
mel" growied a voice as the cabinet door
opened. but I've got him this tlmel'
II was the Ciutching Hand.
There. men, you mau leave me here"
he ordered.
He motioned 10 them to drive off and,
as they did so. pulled off his mask and
dived into narrow street leading Up 20
q thoroushfRre.
craie EaSsd into our living room esu-
tlously 81.
IT can't see anything wrong" he said
to mo as I stood just beside him. Miss
rest excuse me IL ask you to wait just
a moment longerg''
Elaine watched him. fascinated. He
crossed the room. and then went into
each Of our other rooms. Apparently
nothing was wrong and a minute later he
reappeared at the doorway.
4 guess it's all right" no said Per
haps IL wac only Jensen. the janitor."
Elaine, Aunt Josephine and Susie Mar
tin entered. Craig placed chairs Tor them.
buf still could sec that he was uneasy.
From time TO time. while they were ad-
miripE one Of our treasures after another,
he glanced about suspiciousiy. Finally
he moved over to a closet and flung the
door open. ready for anything. No one
was in the closet and he closed Il hastily.
What IL the trouble, do you thlnk?"
asked Elaine wonderingly, noticing his
manner.
III can't Just say" answered Craig,
trying to appear easy.
She had risen and with keen interest
was looking at the books, tho pictures.
the queer collection Of weapons and odds
ana ends from the underworld that Craig
had amassed IN his adventures
At last her eve wandered across the
room. She caught sight OF her own pic
ture. occupying a place Of honor, but
hanging askew
Isn't that Just like a mani she ex-
claimed. such housekeepers as you are
such carelessnessv"
She had taken a step or two Across tho
room TO straighten the picture
Miss Dodgep' almost shouted Kennedy.
his face fairly blanched. "Stopi"
She turned her stunning eyes filled with
amusement at his suddenneas. Never
theless she moved quickly to one side,
as he waved his arms, unable to speak
quickly enough
Kennedy stood quite still, gazing at
the picture, askew. with suspicion.
"That wasn't that way when we left.
was II, WRlter7' he asked.
TT certainly was not" I answered
positively. There was more time spent
In getting that picture just right than I
ever saw you spend on all the rest of the
room"
Craig frowned.
AS for myself ! did not know what to
make of It.
I'm afraid shall have to ask you TO
step into this back room" said Craig at
length to the ladies. I'm sorry--but we
can't DO too careful with this intruder.
whoever he was"
They rose. surprised, but. as he con-
tinued to urge them, they moved into my
room.
Elaine. however. stopped at the door.
For moment Kennedy appeared TO be
considering. Then his eye fell on a fish
ing rod that stood in corner. He took
1t and moved toward the picture.
On his hands and knees, 10 one side,
down as close as he could get to the floor,
with the rod extended at arms length,
he motoned to me to do the same, be-
hind him.
Elaine. unable to repress her Interest,
took half step forward. breathless, from
the doorway, while Susie Martin and
Aunt Josephine stood close behind her,
Carefully Kennedy reached out with
the pole and straightened the picture.
AS he didjgo there was flash. a loud,
deafening report. and a great puff of
smoke from the fireplace,