The north Mississippi herald., 1915-02-26

ing and inexplicable series Of murders
that has ever happened In this coun.
try. 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 athological-pleasure in crimes
of violence, revenge, avarice and self
protection. Sometimes 1t seems as If
he delights in the pure deviltry Of the
thing. 1t Is weird"
He leaned over and spoke In low,
tense tone. "Strangest of all, the tip
has just come to US that Fletcher. Hax-
worth, Sherburne and all the rest of
these wealthy men were insured In
the Consolidated Mutual Life. Now,
Jameson, l want you to find Taylor
Dodge, the president. and interview
him. Get what you can. at any cost.
had naturally thought first of Ken
nedy, but there was no time now to
call him up and. besides. must see
Dodge Immediately.
Dodge. I discovered over the tele-
phone, was not at home nor at any Of
the clubs to which he belonged. Late
though 1t was concluded that he was
at his Office. No amount OF persuasion
could get me past the door, and,
though found out later and shall tell
soon what was going on there. l de-
termined, about nine o'clock, that the
best way to get at Dodge was to 60 to
his house on Fifth avenue, II l had
to camp on his front doorstep until
morning. The harder found the story
to get the more l wanted 1t.
With some misgivings about being
admitted, rang the bell Of the splen-
did, 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. was not going lightly to
give up that advantage. l bethought
myself of his daughter Elaine, one Of
the most popular debutantes Of the
season, and sent In my card to her, on
chance of interesting her and seeing
her father. writing on the bottom of
the card: Would like torintervieW
Mr.. Dodge regarding Clutching Hand"
Summoning up what assurance l
had, which is sometimes considerable,
I followed the butler down the hall as
| he bore my card. AS he opened the
door of the drawing-room, / caught
vision Of slip Of a girl in evening
clothes.
Elaine Dodge was both the ingenue
and the athlete-the thoroughly mod
!, ern type Of girl-equally at home with
tennis and tango, table talk and tea.
Near her / recognized from his pic.
lures Harry Bennett, the rising young
corporation lawyer, mighty good
looking fellow. with an affable, pleas
ing way about him, perhaps thirty-f1ve
years old or so. but already prominent
and quite friendly with Dodge.
"Who is it. Jennings?" she asked.
"A reporter, Miss Dodge" answered
the butler, glancing superciliously back
at me. And you know how your father
dislikes to see anyone here at the
house." he added deferentially to her.
Miss Dodge" pleaded, bowling as
if had known them all my.Mife, 1--WE
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
young man." she rippled with a roguish
look at Benefits discontinue over the
interruption Of the tete-a-tete.
There was a note of seriousness in
1t. too, that made me ask quickly,
"Why?"
The smile fitted from her face, and
in its place came frank earnest ex.
preston, which later learned to like
and respect very much. my father has
declared he will eat the very next re-
porter who tries to interview him
here" she answered
was about to prolong the waiting
time by some jolly about such a stun.
ming girl not having by any possibil.
ity such a cannibal of a parent, when
the rattle of the changing gears of a
car outside tcld of the approach of
limousine.
The big front door opened and
Elaine flung herself In the arms Of an
elderly. stern-faced, gray-haired man.
why, dad" she cried, where have
you been? l missed you 80 much at
dinner. I'll be 80 glad when this ter.
rible business gets cleared up. Tell
me. What is on your mind? What is
1t that worries you now?"
l noticed then that Dodge seemed
wrought up and a bit unnerved, for he
sank rather heavily into a chair,
brushed his face with his handkerchief
and breathed heavily. Elaine lowered
over him solicitously. repeating her
question.
With q mighty effort he seemed to
get himself together. He. rose and
turned to Bennett.
Harry" he exclaimed. "Tve got the
Clutching Hand"
The two men stared at each other.
Twas continued Dodua ssTsvo fCuuA