The Dermott news., 1915-05-27
EIGHTH EPISODE
The Hidden Voice.

The strain of the Dodge case was beginning to tell on me. for il was Keeping us at work at all kinds of hours to circumvent the CMtchiuE Hand. by far the Cleyerest criminal with whom Kennedy had ever had anything to do
 leaped out of bed. still in my na- tamas. and stood for a moment staring about Then ran into the living room. looked about. rubbing my eyes. startled No one was there.
 "Hey-Jamesea-wake up
 It was spooky.
 "Where-the deuce-are you 2s de- manded.
 Suddenly heard the voice again no doubt about fl. either
 'nere I am=oyer on the couch
 scratched my head. puzzled There was certainly no one on chat couch.
 A laueh greeted me Plainly. though. 1t came from the couch weur over to 1t and. ridiculous as t seemed. be gan to throw aside the pillows
 There lay nothing but a little ob- long oaken box, perhaps eight or ten inches square at the ends. In the face were two peculiar square holes. and from the top projected 8 black disk, about the size of a watch. fastened on swinging metal arm. In the face of the disk were several perforated holes
 picked up the strange looking thing in wonder. and from that magic oak box actually came burst of laughter
 Come over to the laboratory right away. psaled forth I merry voice. I've something to show you.
 Well gasped. "wha! do you know about that"
 Very early that morning Craig had got up. leaving mo snoring. Cases never wearied him. He thrtved on eX- citemeut.
 He had gone over 10 the laboratory other of those peculiar boxes, exactly like that which he had already left in our rooms.
 Half an hour afterward l walked into the laboratory. feeling a little sheepish over the practical joke, but none the less curious to find out all about 1t.
 What is it" I asked. indicating the apparatus.
 "A vocaphone." he replied. still laughing the loud speaking telephone. the little box that hears and talks. IL talks right out in meeting. too-no transmitter to hold to the mouth. no receiver to hold to the ear You see. this trans hitter Is so sensitive that it picks up even a whisper. and the receiver is placed back of those two megaphone- like pyramids "
 He was standing al table. careful ly packing up one of the yocaphones and lot of wire
 T believe the Clutching Hand has been shadowinE the Dodge house. he continued thouehtfully. As long as we watch the place. too, he will do nothing But if We should seem. os- tentatiously. not to be watching. per haps he may try something, and we may be able to get clue to his iden- tity over this vocaphone. See2'
 nodded We've got to run him down somehow I agreed
 Yes" he said. taking his coat and hat 'I am going to connect mp one of these things in Miss Dodge's libra " and arrange with tho telephone company for a clear wire so that we can listen in here, where that fellow will never suspect"
 At about the same time that Craig and I sallied forth on this new mis- sion. Elaine was arranging some flow CTS on stand near the corner of the Dodge library where the secret panel was in which her father had hidden the papers for the possession of which the Clutching Hand had murdered him
 She had moved away from the table, but, as she did SO. her dress caught in something in the woodwork She tried to loosen 1t and in so doing touched the little metallic spring on which her dress had caught.
 Instantly. to her utter surprise. the panel moved. It slid open. disclosing strong box.
 Elaine took 1t. amused. looked at it moment. then carried it 10 table and opened It.
 Inside were some papers, sealed in an envelope and marked "Limpy Red Correspondence"
 They must be the Clutching Hand papers," she exclaimed to herself hesitating a moment. in doubt what to do