The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-04-28

Elaine noticed some spots on her
hands, and. seeing, that they were
stained by the blood of Long Sin,
wiped the spots OF on her handker-
chief, dropping it to the floor.
"Ugh!"'' exclaimed a cultural voice
behind them.
1t was the servant who had come
in.
"You-kill him-with knife?" insin-
uated the Chinese.
Elaine was dumb. The servant did
not wait for an answer, but hastily
opened the hall door.
To Elaine 1t seemed that something
must be done quickly. A moment and
all the house would be in uproar.
Instead, he placed his finger on his
lips. "Quick-no word" he said, lead
ing the way to the hall door, "and-oh,
you must not leave that-it will be
a clue" he added. picking up the
bloody handkerchief and pressing 1t
into Elaine's hand.
They quickly ran out into the hall.
"Go-quicki" he urged again, "and
hide the handkerchief in the bag. Let
no one see iti'
AAO smut Tie uOOE. AS Iu6y uuTTl0Q
away Elaine breathed sigh of relief
They had reached the street. Afraid
to run. they hurried as fast as they
could until they turned the first cor
ner.
They pressed each others hands and
parted.
Meanwhile in the front room Long
Sin was on his feet again, brushing
himself off and hopping up the blood.
1T worked very well, SAM he said
70 the servant.
They were conversing eagerly and
laughing and did not hear a noise in
the back room.
A sinister figure had made its way
W means of a fire escape to a rear
window that was not barred, and ST.
lently he had stolen in on them.
They turned at a slight noise and
saw him. Genuine fright was now on
their faces as they looked at him,
open mouthed.
What's all this?" he growled. 81
am known as the Clutching Hand 1
allow no interference with my affairs.
Tell me what you are doing here with
Elaine Dodge"
! Their beady almond eyes flashed
fear The Clutching Hand moved me-
nacingly. There was nothing for the
astute Wong Long Sin to do but to
submit.
With a low bow, Wong spread out
his hands in surrender and submission.
Il will tell you, honorable sir" he
said at length.
Go on!" growled the criminal
Quickly Wong rehearsed what had
happened from the moment the idea
of blackmail entered his head.
How about Mary Carson?" asked
Clutching Hand. Il saw her here"
Wong gave a glance of almost SUI
perstitious dread at the man.
She will be back-is here now" he
added. opening the door at a knock
and admitting her.
Adventures Mary had hurried back
to see that all was right. This time
bidding figure of which she had heard.
1T is all right" pacifled Wong.
"Henceforth we work with the hon
orable Clutching Hand"
At home at last, Elaine sank down
into a deep library chair and stared
straight ahead. She saw visions of
arrest and trial, of the terrible cleo
trio chair with herself in It, bound,
and of the giving of the fatal signal
for turning on the current.
Were such things as these going to
happen to her. without Kennedy's
help? Why had they quarreled? She
buried her face in her hands and wept
Then she could stand it no longer.
She had not taken on her street
clothes: She rose and almost fed
from the house.
Kennedy and I were still in the la,
boratory when a knock sounded at
the door. 1 went to the door and
opened it. There stood Elaine Dodge
1t was a complete surprise to Craig
What is the matter?" he asked.
She hesitated. then suddenly burst
out, "Craig-I-I ana murderessi"
had never before seen such look
on Craig's face as suddenly came over
,, it
Then she poured forth the story sub
stantialIy as l have set 1t down, but
; without the explanation, which at that
time was not known to any OF US.
oh expostulated Craig, there must
!. be some mistake. It's impossible-im
possible
NO." she asserted. "Look-here'l
my handkerchief all spotted witt
blood"
She opened the bag and displayed
the blood-spotted handkerchief. He
took 1t and examined 1t carefully.
Elaine" he said earnestly. not a.
all displeased could see. that some
thing had come up that might blot GU
the past unfortunate misunderstood
ing. there simply. must be something
wrong here. Leave this handkerchie
with me. I'll do my best"
7 Thank you," she said simply a
she left the laboratory.
Craig went TO work abruptly withou
: word.
1 On the laboratory table he placed hi
] splendid microscope and several case
of slides, as well as innumerable m
cro-photographs. He had been Yorl
. h ing for some time when he looked VI
. he said simply. "but what's the gam
/ back of ali this--that's the~main duel
= ton now"
d Ct was not much later that Elain
/ received q second visit from Mary
3 DO you know Why the servant a
!. loved US to leave the apartment
whispered Mary with glance abos
fedrfully. as II the walls had ears.
'No--why? ?" inquired Elaine anxlou