Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-05-01

asked the clerk
NO" came back the reply, 'the
watch Mr.. Bennett bought is still here
being regulated"
Kennedy hung up the receiver. He
was stunned.
The watch will cause her death at
three O'clock" said the Clutching
Hand Swear to leave here without
discovering my identity and will tell
you how. You can save her! In that
watch" he Kissed. Il have set poi
soned needle in a spring that will be
released and will plunge 1t into her
arm at exactly three o'clock On the
needle is ricinus!"
Craig advanced, furious. AS he did
so Clutching Hand pointed calmly to
the clock. 1t was twenty minutes Of
three
With a mental struggle Kennedy
controlled his loathing OF the creature
before him
All right-but youll hear from
me-sooner than you suspect" he
shouted, starting for the door,
Then he came back and lifted his
bat, hiding as much as possible the
3elenum cell. letting the light fall
on It,
Only Elaine's life has saved you"
With last threat he dashed out.
He hailed cab, returning from some
steamship wharves not far away.
Quick" he ordered, giving the
Dodge address on Fifth avenue.
Minute after minute the police and
waited. Was anything wrongr
Where was Craig?
Just then a tremor grew into
tinkle, then came the strong burr Of
the bell. Kennedy needed US.
With a shout of encouragement to
old house.
Meanwhile Clutching Hand himself
had approached the table to recover
his weapon and had noticed the queer
little selenium cell
The deuce!" he cried Hes
| pltn ned to get me anyhow!"
Clutching Hand rushed to the door
then stopped short Outside he could
hear the police and myself
Clutchlng Hand slammed shut his
door and pulled down over It heavy
wooden bar,
At the desk he paused and took out
a piece of cardboard. Then, with
heavy matchmaking pencil. he calmly
printed on it, while we battered at the
balricaded door, few short feet away.
He laid the sign on the desk. then
on another piece Of cardboard. drew
crudely hand with the index finger
POINTING. This he placed on a chair.
indicating the desk,
Just as the swaying and bullying
door gave way, Clutching Hand gave
the desk pull II opened up--his get
away.
He closed 1t with a sardonic smile
in our direction, just as the door
crashed in.
We looked about. There was not
soul in the room, nothing but the Jele-
mum cell, the chairs, the desk
Look" | cried, catching sight of
the index finger, and going over to the
desk.
We rolled back the top. There on
the flat top was a sign;
Dear 81, kheads:
kenne' and | couldn't wait.
Then car that mysterious sign Of
the Clutchi1g Hand
We hu I'd over the rooms, but
could find nothing that showed a clue.
Where was Clutching Hand? Where
was Kennedy?
In the next house Clutching Hand
had literally come out of an upright
piano into the room corresponding to
that he had left. Hastily he threw off
his handkerchief, SLOUGH hat, old coat
and trousers. A neat striped pair OF
trousers replaced the old, frayed and
baggy pair A new shirt, then a sporty
vest and a frock coat followed
As he put the finishing touches on
he looked for all the world like a be-
whskered foreigner.
At the door of the new headquarters,
a few seconds later, stood with the
police.
Not a sign of him anywhere"
growled one of the officers.
Elaine was sitting in the library
reading when Aunt sephine turned
to her
What time is 1t arr" she asked.
Elaine danced at her pretty new
trinket
"Nearl three, Auntie-just couple
of minut ;" she said.
Just Il I there came the sound OF
feet rum madly down the hallway.
They jun 1 up, startled
Kennel his coat flying and hat
jammed o. his eyes, had almost
bowled over roor Jennings in his mad
race down the hall
Well" demanded Elaine haughtily,
what s."
Before 81 ~ knew what was going on
Craig hurr up to her and literally
ripped the v7tch of her wrist. break.
ing the bea fuI bra 'et