The Dermott news., 1915-04-08

that has ever happened in this coun. try. And nothing but this uncanny hand to trace them by"
 The editor paused a moment then exclaimed: Why. this fellow seems to take a diabolical-I might almost say ological-pleasure in crimes of violence, revenge, avarice and self protection. Sometimes 1t seems as f he delights in the pure deviltry of the thing. It is weird
 He leaned over and spoke in a low, tense tone. "Strangest of all. the tip has just come to us that Fletcher, liax- 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, discovered over the tele- phone. was not at home nor at any of the clubs to which he belonged Late though 1t was l concluded that he was at his office. No amount of persuasion could get me past tue door, and, though I found out later and shall tell soon what was going on there. l de termiued. about nine o'clock. that tho best way to get at Dodge was to 90 to his house on Fifth avenue. if l had , to camp on his front doorstep until morning. The harder found the story to get the more wanted it.
 With some missjvinEs about being admitted. l 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 Erayely informed me that MT Dodge was not at home. but was expected at any moment.
 Once in. l was not going lightly to give up that advantage. bethousht myself of his daughter Elaine. one of tho most popular dehutantes of the season. and sent in my card 10 her, on chance of interesting her and seeing her father. writing on the bottom of tho card Would like to interview MT. Dodge regarding CIutehing Hand !"
 Summoning up what assurance l had. which is sometimes considerable, 1 followed the butler down the hall as he bore my card As he opened the door of the draWinEro0m. l caught a vision of a slip ot a girl in evening clothes.
 Elaine Dodge was both the ingenue l and the athlete--the thoroughly mod era type of eirl-equally at home with tennis and tango table talk and tea.
 Near her l recognized from his pic lures Harry Bennett. the rising young corporation lawyer, a mighty good looking fellow, with an aftable. pleas. ing way about him. perhaps thirty y-tive years old or SO but already prominent and quite friendly with Dodge Who Is 1t. Jennings ." she asked "A reporter. Miss Dodge" answered the butler. glancing supercil!ously back at me And you know how your father dislikes to see anyone here at the house" he added deterentially to her.
 Miss Dodge" pleaded. lowing as If l had known them all my life, I've been trying to find your father all the evening It's very important"
 She looked up at me surprised and in doubt whether 10 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 q roguish look at Bennett's disComtlture over the interruption of the tete-a.tete,
 There was note of seriousness in it. too. that made me ask Quickl! Why"
 The smile fitted from her face, and in it's place came a frank earnest eN- pression, which later learned to like and respect very much. My father has declared he oill 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 stun. ! ming girl not having by any possi oil- ity such cannibal of n parent when the rattle of the changing gears ot a car outside told ot the approach ot u 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 I missed you so much at dinner. I'll be so glad when th.s ter. rible business gets cleared up Tell me. What is on your mind2 What is it that worries you now ?"
 l noticed then that Dodge seemed wrought up and bit unneryed. for he sank rather heavily into chair brushed his face with his handkerchief and breathed heavily Elaine lowered over him solicitously, repeating her question.
 With mighty effort he seemed to get himself together. He rose and turned to Bennett
 Harry he exclaimed. I've got the Clutching Hand."