davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-03-25

Lmpy had long since reached the
point OF saturation and lurching forth
from his new found cronios he sought
other fields OF excitement. Likewise
did the newcomer, who bore n strange
resemblance to the lookout who had
been stationed outside at the Dodge
house "A scant half hour before.
What happened later was only a
matter OF secondhand waiting until
the hated s%nitch-7for gangdom hates
the lnformer worse than anything else
dead or alive-had turned a sufficient
ly dark and deserted corner.
a mufled thud, IA stiied groan fol.
lowed as a heavy section OF lead pipe
wrapped In n newspaper descended on
the Grass skull Of Limpy.
II was the vengeance OF the Clutch
ing Hand-swift, sure, remorseless.
And yet II had not been a night OF
complete success for the master Grim.
inal, as anyone might have seen who
could have followed his sinuous route
TO n place of greater safety. Unable
to wait longer. he pulled the papers
he had taken from the safe from his
pocket. His chagrin at finding most
of them to be blank found only one
expression OF foiled fury-that men.
acing clutching hand-the real one!
Kennedy had turned from his futile
examination for marks on the tele-
phone. There stood the safe, a moder.
ate sized strong box, but OF q modern
type. lie tried the door. II was locked.
There was not a mark on II. The com.
bination had not been tempered with.
Nor had there been any attempt to
soup the safe.
With a quick motion he felt in his
pocket as II looking for gloves. Find.
ing none, he glanced about and seized
| two pieces OF paper from the desk.
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-03-25

objectionable sin In gangland: For
Gods sake. governor" he lmplored,
don't let on how you found OUT"
And yet Limpy Red had scarcely left
with his promise not to tell, when
Dodge, happening to turn over some
on his " desk, bearing that mysteri.
clutching hand!
lie tore 1t open, and read in amaze.
ment:
Destroy Limpy Reds instructions
within the next hour"
Dodge gazed about In wonder. This
was getting on his nerves. lie de.
termined to go home and rest.
Outside the house. as he left his car,
pasted over the monogram on the door,
he had found another note, with the
same weird mark and the single word
Remember"
In spite OF the pleadlngs OF young
Bennett, Dodge refused to take warn.
Ing. In the safe In his beautifully
fitted library he deposited I.impy's doc.
uultill III an t~IN'lbIt NNliulUlne ull
the correspondence that had led up to
the final step in the discovery.
II was late In the evening when I
returned 20 u apartment and. not
finding Kennedy there. knew that |
would discover him at the laboratory,
Craig" | cried rs ! burst In on
him. I've got n case for you-greater
than any ever before"
Kennedy looked up calmly from the
ruck OF scientific instruments hat sur.
rounded hm-test tubes. beakers.
carefully labeled bottles.
Indeed" he remarked. coolly go
ing back TO his work.
Yes" ! cried. 1T Is a scientific
criminal who seems TO leave no clues"
Kennedy looked up ~gravely. Every
criminal leaves a trace" he said quiet.
ly. III II hasn't been found. then II
must be because no one has ever
looked for II in the right way"
SIN gazing at me keenly. he added:
"Yes, ] already knew there was such
a Ma at large. ! have been called In
on that Fletcher case-he was a trus.
tee OF the university. you know"
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-03-25
1915, BY the Star Company. All Foreign Rights Reserved.

Just then Dodge caught sight OF rae.
For the moment | thought perhaps he
was going to fulfill his threat.
who the devil-why didn't you tell
me n reporter was here. jennings" he
rputtered Indignantly, pointing toward
the door.
Argument. entreaty. were OF no
avail. There was nothing to do but go.
At least, | reflected, | had the great.
or part OF the story-all except the n
big thing, ~however-the name Of tho
criminal. But Dodge would know him
tomorrow!
I hurried back TO the Star 10 write
my story In time to catch the last
morning edition.
Meanwhile. II | may anticipate my
story, | must toll OF what We later
learned had happened to Dodge 30
completely to upset him.
Ever since the Consolidated Mutual
had been hit by the murders he had had
many lines out In the hope Of enmesh.
ing the perpetrator. That night. as |
found out the next day. he had at last
heard of a clue. one of the company's
detectives had brought In Il red head.
ed, lame, partly paralyzed crook. who
enjoyed the expressive monniker OF
"Limpy Red" Limpy Red VAS n
gunman OF some renown, evilfaccd
and, having nothing much to lose. des.
perate. Whoever the master criminal
OF the clutching hand might have been
he had see Il to employ Limpy, bat
hard not taken the ]precaution of getting
rid Of him soon enough when he was
through.
Therefore Limpy had a grievance,
and now descended under pressure to
the low level Of Switching to Dodge In
his office.
mo. governor" the trembling
wretch had said as he handed over a
grimy envelope. Il amt never seer
his face-but here is directions how to
find his hangout."
AS Limpy ambled out, he turned to
Dodge, quivering at the enormity OF his
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-03-25

With them. In order not TO confuse
any possible finger prints on the bust.
he lifted IL of. =
gave a gasp OF surprise.
There, In the top OF the safe.
yawned a gaping hole, through which
II could nave thrust his arm!
What Is it?" we asked, crowding
about him.
"Thermit," he replied laconically.
"Thermit?" | repeated.
"Yes-a compound of iron oxide and
powdered aluminium. invented by a
chemist at Essen, Germany. II gives
a temperature OF over FIVE thousand
degrees. II will eat It's way through
the strongest steel"
jennings. his mouth wide open with
wonder. advanced TO take the bust
from Kennedy.
"No-don't touch IT," he waved him
Off. laying the bust on the desk. II
want no one to touch it-don't you
see how careful | was TO use the
paper. that there might be no ques.
ton about any clue this fellow may
nave lelt on the marble
As he spoke, Craig was busting over
the surface OF the bust with some
black powder.
Look" exclaimed Craig suddenly.
Finger prints!" | cried excitedly.
Yes" nodded Kennedy, studying
them closely. "a clue-perhaps."
"What-those little marks-a clue?"
asked n voice behind us.
I turned and saw Elaine looking
over our shoulders, fascinated. It was
evidently the first time she had real
ICED that Kennedy was In the room.
How can you tell anything by
that?" she asked.
why, easily" he answered, pick.
ing up a glass paper weight which
lay on the desk. You see, | place
my finger on this weight-so. You
could see II even without the powder
on this glass. DO you sea those lines?
There are various types OF markings
-four general types-and each per.
sons markings are different, even II
of the same general t%ype-loop. whorl.
arch or composite"
lie continued working as he talked.
Your thumb marks. for example.
Miss Dodge. are different from mine.
Mr.,Jameson's are different from both
OF us. And this fellows finger prints
are still different. 1t is mathematical
ly impossible TO Hnd two alike In
every respect"
Kennedy was holding the paper
weight near the bust rs he talked.
| shall never forget the look OF
blank amazement on his face as he
bent over closer.
my Godl" he exclaimed excitedly.
"this fellow Is a master crimlnall He
has made stencils Dr. something OF
the sort on which. by some mechan-
zeal process. he has actually forged
the hitherto infallible finger printsi"
]. too, bent over and studied the
marks on the bust and those Ken
nedy had made on the paper weight to
show Elaine.
THE FINGER PRINTS ON TUE
BUST WERE KENNEDY'S OWN.
To BE coNrINUED.l
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-03-25
THE CLUTCH|NG
HAND WINS
AGAIN.
NEW YORK MYSTERIOUS MAS
TER CRIMINAL PERFECTS
ANOTHER COUP.
City Police Completely Baffled

Here's this murder OF Fletcher, the
retired banker and trustee OF the uni.
versity," he explained. mot n clue
except n warning letter signed with
this mysterious c%lutching fist, Last
week II was the robbery OF the Hax.
worth Jewels and the killing Of old
liaXworth. Again that curious sign OF
the hand. Then there was the bastard.
~ attempt on Sherburne. the steel
magndto. Not n trace OF the assail.
cnt except this same ciutchlng fist. SO
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-03-25

touching the register, he wrenched the
telephone from the grasp OF the dead
man. replacing It In its normal posi-
ton. Only for n second did he pause
to look at his victim as he destroyed
the evidence of his work.
Minutes were precious. First Dodge's
pockets, then his desk engaged his at
tention. There was left the safe.
AS he approached the strong box.
the master criminal took two walls
from his pocket. Removing a bust OF
Webster that stood on the safe, he
poured the contents of the walls In two
mixed masses of powder. forming a
heap on the safe, into which he insert.
cd two magnesium wires.
He lighted them, sprang back, hid.
ing his eyes from the light. and a
binding gush of flame, lasting per.
haps ten seconds, poured out from the
top of the safe.
II was not an explosion. but Just a
dazzling, intense flame that sizzled and
cracked. 1t seemed impossible. but
the glowing mass was literally sink
ing. sinking down into the cold steel.
At last Il burned through-as II the
safe had been Of finder.
Without waiting n moment longer
than necessary. the masked criminal
advanced again and actually put his
hands down through the top OF the
safe. pulling out a bunch Of papers.
npg.EIp la shK.gs Vhaua oil uulth t,tgf
u glance, into his pocket.
Still working quickly. he took the
bust Of the great orator, which he had
removed, and placed 1t under the light.
Next. from his pocket he drew two
curious stencils. as 1t were. which he
had apparently carefully prepared.
With his hands. still carefully gloved,
he rubbed the stencils on his hair, as
II TO cover them with a film OF natural
oils. Then he deliberately pressed
them over the statue In several
places. II was n peculiar action, and
he seemed to fairly gloat over It when
1t was done and the bust returned to
It's place, covering the hole.
As noiselessly as he had come, he
made his exit after n last malignant
look at Dodge. II was now but the
work Of a moment TO remove the wires
he had placed and climb out Of the
window. taking them and destroying
the evidence down In the cellar.
A low whistle from the masked
crook. nov again In the shadow,
brought his pal stealthlly to his side.
ITS all right" he whispered hoarse-
ly to the man. Now you attend to
Limpy Red"
The villainous looking pal nodded
aud. without another word, the two
made their getaway, safely. in opposite
directions.
When Limpy Red, still trembling.
left the Office OF Dodge earlier In the
evening. he had repaired as fast as his
stumbling feet would take him 20 his
favorite dive up on Park Row.
Had the Bowery %'sinkers" not got
into his eyes he might have noticed
among the late jewellers a man who
spoke 10 no one. but took his place
near by at the bar.
The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-03-25

Perhaps ! can do no better than "a
reconstruct the crime as Kennedy
later pieced these startling events to.
gether.
Long after ! had left and even after
Bennett left. Dodge continued working
In his library, for he was known as q
prodigious worker.
Had be taken the trouble. however.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
Who Drove First Carp

Several claimants lave come up lately Tor the
honor of having driven the first automobile in New
York City. 1t would be interesting to determine
this point before all the original motorists have
passed away and present the rightful holder Of the
title with gold medal
A search through "Horseless Age" which is the
oldest living automobile trade paper, does not
throw much light on the subject OF early motor
performances in New York City. The first number
of this paper prplished in November, 1895, by
E. p Ingersoll, who wrote o. that time editorial
the industry.
He said: at is a branch Of industry yet in an
embryonic state. The public believe in 1t and wait
with lively interest its practical application"
ALTHOUGH "Horseless Age" was early in the field
the first number does no. say much about who at
tempted to use the hor1eless wagon In New York up
to 1895. 1t is known, however, that many vehicles
were seen here prior to that date.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
Shortage Of Steel.

gentleman who has just returned from trip
around the motor factories tells me the real rea-
son for the shortage of cars among dealers is the
inability of the makers to obtain steel.
While hardly think this is so, in the case Of
the Packard shortage of Twin Skies it is neverthe-
less fact that prospective Packard purchasers are
making a desperate kick to President NJ. J. Budong
of the Packard New York Company. 1t became
rumored few days ago that it was possible to
obtain Packard by giving $500 bonus and dur
ing the last week Mr.. Budlong received about q
dozen checks for this amount from people well
known to him, with requests for delivery as soon
possible.
This is barking back to the old days, when John
D. Rockefeller wrote a letter to a United States
Senator, asking him if his influence could not
secure earlier delivery Packard which he had
ordered
President Budlong wired number Of agents
and offered them the bonus checks which he had
received if they would transfer their early de-
liveres to the New York branch, but not one of
thoq has agreed to do his. The situation in the
Packard company is duplicated in several large
Nes, York agencies and factory branches.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01

commanding officer Of peerless efficiency, unhss-
ging effort and unhinchng judicial fairness, with
patriotic devotion in the cause Of the Lincoln
Highway.
"Mr Pardngton gave Of his own means and OF
himself so literally that he stimulated every per-
son with whom he came in contact to become a
soldier in the cause Of the Lincoln Memorial
Highway.
"tIis example has given to the great memorial
an ever increasing army Of followers, who Will
aid more literally by donations and personal work
Every signpost along the Lincoln Highway, from
the City Of New York to the Pacific Coast, stands
as a onument to the energy Of Mr.. Pardington
While thousands have given their dollars to carry
on the work he gave himself"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
NEW SERIES CADILLAC
Body, Hood and Radiator Al
tered III Design.

The Cadillac Motor Car Company
announces o new series Of its eight
cylinder car. No radical change is
made in the essential features, but the
body, hood and radiator are altered in
desigu and the price has been increased
slightly.
The Cadillac is the first American
company 10 increase its price this year.
Il Is not unlikely, however, that its
lead may be followed later by other
companies, when they get closer to
Their cost Of production. The Cadillac
announced the first series of its eight
around the first Of the year, and II has
had six months to determine the actual
production cost Of $4,000 cars now IN
use
Concerning the increase of sos on
the open body styles, W. {. Leland,
general manager Of the company, says:
We simply could not continue TO
produce car of the Cadillac type and
;uality at the old price without doing
" al a loss, and DO not think any one
expected US TO do that We shall con-
tinue 10 use the best materials we can
bDtdi.lf ana Nt4 fanny VIC DtNb mater tdlH
iave not been reduced in price On the
contrary, we are paying more for some
Materials now than In the past. We
Engage only expert workmen and have
% pay well for them.
We found that the price OF our eight
vas set TOO low in the beginning. This
We had 20 learn from the actual pro-
iuctlon Of a great many thousand cars.
We think the 1900 buyers Of the first
Ieries Of Cadillac Fights have been the
HincIs.
In face of the fact that hundreds
u thousands Of automobile owners to-
lay are seeing their cars deprecated
value because their makers have felt
ohged TO reduce prices on new cars
ne owner Of an eight cylinder Cadillac
low sees his car actually advanced in
Alue."
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
Public confidence in the future prosperity
~. whole country is best shown by the
y ,..o,,enal progress of the motor industry

.,,rv man who has not yet purchased an
h'fe viii read what J. W. Hartman, presi-
s5'0" -. Hartman National Bank of New York.
te'' - IN a public announcement about the
h' ,rn ss "A Great Public Utility"
'uiomV''' orlv few years ago that Wall Street
We ,ic;ous grenade at the very heart of the
AHoD'- man Of intelligence in the trade perceived
t'''' of the shot, which was, in brief, to
ins +bc small investor away from the car and
fns", hack 20 the stock market; but notwith-
d''s the deceptive purpose of the move, the
s@.'.tS made an impression and developed con-
'WV,, feclin- against the motor car.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
Hudson 48 Hour Service.

Few dealers have been able to get
trs since the new models began to
Ppear and those who have depended
.pon freight shipments have lost a
reat many sales by guaranteeing de-
MSry on given date. Freight lines
= through the country have been tied
and there has been no certainty
mateyer about arrival time.
Two or three New York dealers
efly realized what difficulty they were
olhg TO have 10 get cars and made
engagements for express shipments.
Consequence of having prepared
.mSelf Harry s. Houpt, president Of
iies Hudson Company, says he has been
ple TO guarantee forty-eight hour de-
very Of all Six Forty Hudson phaetons
10 hasn't missed making a single de-
very on schedule time.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01

Better cars at moderate prices, they seem to
think, is the factor which has turned the tables
and opened up field for unlimited expansion.
When touched upon "the point of absorption"-
the one thing which every man in the industry has
fire Iuently discussed found, somewhat to my
eurprse, they do not think this will ever operate
seriously against quantity production provided the
original cost of is gradually reduced the
roads consistently improved and the expense Of
maintenance and repair reduced to a standard.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
Supplying Europe.

1t is not remarkable that the motor industry in
England should be alarmed at the coming of so
many American made cars.
The total value of the exported to the United
Kingdom for ten months ended last May, according
to the government figures, was nearly Sl70OOO0O,
ard the value of those shipped to France was more
than s11 600 000
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
Auto Stock Breaks Record.

During the last six months the value of the stock
of automobile and accessory manufacturing
poratons in the United States has appreciated
more than sS5.OO0,OOO. This is based upon a de-
tailed report of the National Automobile Chamber
of Commerce and statistics which have been OBJ
tanned by "The Horseess Age" and set forth in
lengthy article the progress of the industry in
the issue OF July %.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
Bing! Goes Detroit Speedway.

The Detroit speedway project has fallen into a
briar bush. A photograph of the site, showing
progress" which published in "The Detroit
Ni~s" resembed Fred Wagner's cornfed at
Shutdown
If any portion of speedway was ever there
some belligerent must have thrown poisoned
b,-nb at it in the early stages.
The Detroit News says in plain English, there
isn't any speedway; that the American Automobile
Association has not sanctioned race for Septem-
Der 6 or any other date, drivers have not entered
for race and that the grandstand was a grand
bluff.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01

"The Hartman National Bank would be glad to
every farmer and merchant in possession of an
auton obile, first for his in his industry and
second for his pleasure for there is a weighty
economic factor of efficiency in the social condi-
tons that surround labor"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01

They feel that much has transpired within the
last year to place the automobile on a foundation
Of permanent stability. To a man they said they
now firmly convinced the car has fully estab-
lsred itself necessity to our pleasure and
progress.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01

The Navy Department has paid our Society of
Automobile Engineers the compliment Of requesting
the appointment of two of its members to serve on
the naval board Of scientific and technical men
who are to look into the practical merits Of inven-
tons which may be adaptable to naval warfare
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01

with good crops this fall, every expectation Of
the automobile manufacturers should be fulfilled,
while the anticipated reduction in profits per car
will unquestionably be more than compensated for
by increased sales.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
Other Bankers Concur.

have talked with several well known bankers
since Mr.. Hartman made this announcement and
find they fully concur in all he has said
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
What Mr.. Hartman Says.

"The automobile has long ceased to be merely
.sn ,y1er .e luxury, ana is now economic ne
eessity s- well 10 the farmer as to the department
store or -r any occupation where expedition or
eco7on can make its valuable.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
A. r. Pardington-Pioneer.

A. r. Pardngton, who died last Tuesday night IN
Harper Hospital, Detroit was OF New Yorks
pioneer motorists When the automobile was
weak and uncertain thing and when no one had the
slightest idea whether it going 20 turn out 20
be a fash in the pan a lifesayer to mankind
Pardington took the IDEAL view of the future and
from that time until the day Of his death his won
derful belief in the and the enthusiasm which
he displayed in many directions contributed largely
TO the success Of the industry.
He deserted the telephone business where he oc-
cuped prominent position, and cast his fortunes
with the automobile. lie one of the founders
Of the Long Island Automobile Club and the first
chairman of the contest board Of the American
Automobile Association. When William X. Van
derbilt, jr, conceived the plan Of the Long Island
Motor Parkway he turned to Mr. Pardngton to
develop it, For several years Mr. Pardngton
labored necessarily for the of this project
When the Lincoln Highway was started he was
made the general manager which position ne occu-
pied at the time of his death.
Henry B. Joy, president Of the Packard Motor
Car Company and the Lincoln Highway Associa-
ton was deeply grieved upon hearing of the death
of Mr. Pardington.
eli, collaborators," Mr.. Joy says, "have lost