Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-02-20
FIFTH EPISODE
The Poisoned Room.

The Poisoned Room.
Elaine and Craig were much togeth-
er during the next few days. Some
how or other. IL seemed that the chase
OF the Clutching Hand involved long
conferences In the Dodge library. and
even, in fact, extended to excursions
into the VIGOROUSLY crime-infested
neighborhood of Riverside drive. with
Its fashionable procession of automo-
biles and go-carts-as far north. in
deed, As that desperate haunt known
as Grants tomb.
But 10 return To the more serious
side OF the affair.
Kennedy and Elaine had scarcely
come out OF the house and descended
the steps, one afternoon. when a SIMS
ter face appeared Ia a basement area
way near by.
IL was the Clutchins Hand.
He ore a telephone inspectors hat
n coat IA carried a bag slung by a
strap over his shoulder. For once he
had left OF his mask. but. in place OF
IL. his face was covered by "A scragFy
black beard. The disguise a effec-
tive.
He saw Kennedy and Miss Dodge
and skunk unobtrusiyely against a
railing. with his head turned away
Laughing and chatting. they passed
Then be turned IN the other direc-
ton and. going up tile steps OF the
Dodge house. rans the bell.
Telephone Inspector he said IN a
loud tone az Michael. IN Jennings
place for tho afternoon. opened the
door.
lie accompanied the words with the
sign. and Michael admitted him
A. II happened. Aunt Josephine was
upstairs In Elaine's room She VAS
fixing flowers Ia a vase Oh the dress
ing table OF her idolizcd nice Mean
while. RuSy, the collie. lay half blink
Ing. on the tloor
"Who is this?" she asked. as Mi
chsel led the bogus telephone inspec-
tor into the room
"a man from the telephone com
pany.' he answered d~eferentially.
Aunt Josephine, uasophisticated. al
low ed them to enter without d further
question.
Quickly. like y gosd workman.
C%lutching Hand went 10 tie telephone
instrument; and ~ tint Of keeping his
finger on the hook and his back TO
Aunt Josephine succeeded in convey
ing the Illusion that he was examining
IL.
No sooner was the door shut than
the Clutching Hand hastily opened his
bag and from IL drew a small powder
spraying outfit, such IS | have seen
used Tor spraying bug powder. He
then tool out a sort OF muzzle with
an elastic band on IL and slipped IL
y his head so that the muzzle pro
tected his nose and mouth.
lie seemed TO work d sort OF pump
ing attachment and from the nozzle of
the spraying instrument blew out a
cloud OF powder which he directed at
the wall.
Meanwhile. Michael. in the hallway.
on guard TO see that no n bothered
the Clutching Hand al his work. was
overcome by curiosity To see what his
master was doing. He opened the
door a little bit and gazed stealthily
through the crack into the room.
Clutching Hand a now spraying
the rug close to the dressing table of
Elaine and was standing near the mir
ror. He stopped down To examine he
rug. Then. as he raised his head. he
happened 10 look into the mirror. In
u he could see the full ~reflectiol Of
Michael behind him. gazing into the
room.
The scoundrel," muttered Clutch
ing Hand. with repressed fury At the
discovery.
lie rose quickly and shut OF the
spraying instrument. stuiiing IL into
the bag. lie took a step or two toward
the door. Michael drew back. fear.
Clutching Hand opened the door
and. still wearing the muzzle. beck
oned to Michael. Michael could
scarcely control his fears. But he
obeyed. entering Elaine's roo- after
the Clutching Hand. who loCAed the
door.
Were you watching me-" demand
ed the master criminal. with rage.
Michael. trembling ali over. shook
his head. For a moment Clntcsing
Hand looked him over disdainfuIly
at the clumsy lie.
Then be brutality struck Michael IN
the face, knocking him down. An uI-