The Springdale news., 1915-04-23


 
 Ten minutes later, outside the new headquarters, a crouchedup figure. carrying a small package. his face hidden under his soft hat and up turned collar. could have been seen sinking along until he came to the steps
 He ID .ough the ape .u of the doorway Then he rag the bell Twice he raised his zesd and elenched 1t in the now Ia E.Iliar clutch
 "A crook inside saw 1t through the aperture and opened the door The figure entered and almost before the door was shut tied the masking hand kerehief over his face, which hid his identity from even the most trusted Heutenants. The crook bowed to the chief, who with a grovl as though of recognition. moved down the hall As he came to the room from which Slim had been sent on his mission. the same group was seated in the thick tobacco smoke
 You fellows clear out, he growled T want to be alone
 The old man ts peeyed muttered one, outside. as they left
 The weird figure gazed about the room to be sure that he was alone
 
 When Craig and left the police he had given me most minute instrue- tions which l was now following out te the letter
 T want you to hide there he said. indicating barrel back of the house next to the hangout When you see a wire come down from the headquar. ters, take 1t and carry it across the lot to the old house. Attach it to the bell; then wait. When it rings, raid the Clutehing Hand joint
 waited what seemed to be an in. terminable time back of the barrel Finally, however, I saw a coil of fine wire drop rapidly to the ground from window somewhere above made a dash for 1t, as though I were trying to rush the trenches. seized my prize and, without looking back to see where il came from, beat hasty retreat Around the lot skirted until at last reached the place where the police We're waiting Quickly We fastened the wire to the bell
 Ne waited
 Not sound from the bell
 
 Up in the room in the joint the hunehed-up figure stood by the table He had taken his hat off and placed it carefully on the table and was now waiting
 Suddenly noise at the door startled him. He listened Then he backed away from the door and drew reyol- yer
 As the door slowly opened there en- tered another figure. hat over his eyes. collar up, a handkerchief over his face, the exact counterpart of the first.
 For a moment each glared at the other.
 Hands up," shouted the first fig ure, hoarsely, moving the gun and closing the door with his foot
 The newcomer slowly raised his crooked hand over his head as the blue steel revolver gaped menacingly. With quick movement of the other hand the first sinister figure removed the handkerchief from his face and strengthened up
 IL was Kennedy,
 Come over to the center of the room" ordered Kennedy
 Glutching Hand obeyed, eyeing his captor closely
 Now lay your weapons on the ta- ble."
 He tossed down a revolver.
 The two still faced each other.
 Take off that handkerchief! IL was a tense moment Slowly Clutchiag Hand started to obey. Then he stopped Kennedy was just about to thunder Go on, when the criminal calmly remarked You've got ME all right, Kennedy but in twenty minutes Elaine Dodge will be dead,
 He said t with nonchalanee that might have deceived anyone less as ute than Kennedy Suddenly there +ttAs4iCQ OAiI \ ldIE luE NQIQSs HE TRICK WILL BE PULLED OFF AT THREE O'CLOCK."
 There was no fake about that Ken. nedy frowned menacingly If he killed Clutching Hand Elaine would die If he fought he must either kill or be killed If he handed Clutching Hand over Elaine was lost, He looked al his watch It was twenty-five min utes of three.
 What do you mean-tell me- de- manded Kennedy with forced calm. Yesterday Mir Bennett bought wrist watch for Elaine" the Clutching Hand said quietly They left it to be regulated. One of my men bought one just like it. Mine was delivered 10 her today"
 A likely story" doubted Kennedy For answer the Clutching Hand merely pointed to the telephone