The Monticellonian., 1915-04-15

while Clutching Hand sat before the
safe watching it intently.
Someone at the door-Jennings is
answering the bell." Michael whis-
| pered hoarsely.
"Confound it," muttered Clutching
Hand, as both moved again behind the
heavy velour curtains.
I'm so glad to see you, Mr. Ken
nedy," greeted Elaine unaffectedly as
Jennings admitted us.
She had heard the bell and was COM
Ing downstairs as we entered. We
three moved toward the library and
someone switched on the lights.
Craig strobe over to the safe. The
cold sweat on it had now turned to
icicles. Craig's face clouded with
thought as he examined it more close
ly. There was actually a grooming
sound from within.
TT can't be opened" he said to him
self THE time lock is set for tomor-
row morning"
Outside, if we had not been so alb
sorbed in the present mystery, we
might have seen Michael and the
Clutching Hand listening to US
Clutching Hand looked hastily at his
watch.
"The deuce!" he muttered under his
breath, sitting his suppressed fury
We stood looking at the safe. Ken
nedy was deeply interested, Elaine
standing close beside him. Suddenly
he seemed to make up his mind
"Quiek-Elainei' he cried. taking
her arm. STAND backi''
We all retreated. The safe door,
powerful as it was, had actually begun
to warp and bend. The plates were
bullying. A moment later, with loud
report and conclusion, the door blew
off.
A blast of cold air and flakes like
snow flew out. Papers were scattered
ON every side.
We stood gazing. aghast, d second,
then ran forward. Kennedy quickly
examined the safe. He bent down and
from the wreck took up a package,
now covered with white.
AS quickly he dropped it,
THAT is the package that was sent"
cried Elaine
Taking it in table cover, no laid
it on the table and opened it. Inside
was peculiar shape flask, open at the
top, but like vacuum bottle.
"a Dewar flask" calculated Craig.
What is it?" asked Elaine, appeal
ing to him.
Liquid air." he answered LAS it
evaporated, the terrific pressure of
expanding air in the safe increased
until it blew out the door, That is
what caused the cold sweating and the
groans."
We watched him, startled.
On the other side of The portieres
Michael and Clutching Hand waited.
Then, in the general confusion, Clutch
ing Hand slowly disappeared, foiled.
Where did this package come
FROM" asked Kennedy of Jennings
suspieiously.
Jennings looked blank.
why" put in Elaine. Michael
brought it to me-
Get Michael" ordered Kennedy.
A moment later he returned. "I
found him, going upstairs" reported
Jennings, leading Michael in
Where did you get this package?"
shot out Kennedy.
1T was left at the door, sir. by
boy, sir
Question after question could not
shake that simple, stolid sentence,
Kennedy frowned.
You may 60" he said finally, as If
reserving something for Michael later.
A sudden exclamation followed from
Elaine as Michael passed down the
hall again. She had moved over to
the desk. during the questioning, and
was leaning against it.
Inadvertently she had touched an
envelope. 1t was addressed, Craig
Kennedy"
Craig tore it open, Elaine bending
anxiously over his shoulder frightened.
We read
YOU HAVE INTERPRETED FOR
THE LAST TINE. IT IS THE END"
Beneath it stood the fearsome sign
of the Clutching Hand!
The warning of the Clutching Hand
had no other effect on Kennedy than
the redoubling of his precautions for
safety. Nothing further happened that
night, however, and the next morning
found us early at the laboratory.
1t was the late forenoon, when. aft
err a hurried trip down to the office.
reioined Kennedy at his scientific
workshop.
We walked down the street when
big limousine shot past. Kennedy
stopped in the middle of a remark. He
had recognized the car, with sort of
instinct.
At the same moment | saw a smil-
ing face al the window of the car. It
was Elaine Dodge.
The car stopped in something less
than twice its length and then backed
toward us.
Kennedy. hat Off was at the window
in a moment. There were Aunt Jose
phine and Susie Martin, also.
Where are you boys going?" asked
Elaine. with interest, then added with
gayety that i'll concealed her real
anxiety. I'm so glad to see you-to
see that-er-nqthing has happened
from the dreadful Clutching Hand"
why, we were just going up to our
rooms" replied Kennedy.
Cant we drive you around?"
Z We climbed in and a moment later
h. ri IL