Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-02-27

Rusty was trying to lead Kennedy
Gown the street.
Wait here" called Kennedy To Aunt
Josephine. as he stepped with me on
the running board OF the cab Go on.
Rusty: good dog"
IL seemed miles that We went. but
At last we anne TO a peculiarly de-
serted looking house. Here Rusty
turned in and began scratching at the
ioor We jumped on the cab n fol
lowed.
The door was locked when We tried
Il. and from inside We could get no an
swer. We put orr shoulders TO II and
burst II in. Rusty gave a leap forward
with a Joyous bark.
We followed more cautiously. There
were pieces Of armor strewn all over
the floor. Rusty smiled at them and
looked about. disappointed. h G
howled.
/ looked from the armor 10 Kennedy
IN blank amazement.
Elaine was kidnapped-in the ar
nor" he cried.
ne was right. Meanwhile. the ar
NOR repairers had stopped at last AZ
this apparently deserted house. n
strange sort Of repair shop. Sull keep
ing IL wrapped In blankets. they had
taken the armor out OF the wagon and
had laid II down on an old broken
bed. Then they had unwrapped II ana
taken OF the helmet.
There was Elaine,
Ssh. What's that" cautioned m OF
the men.
They paused and listened. Sure
enough. there was a sound outside
They opened the window cautiously.
A dog was scratching on the door. en-
d~savoring TO get in. II was Rusty.
Il think it's her dog" said the man.
turning. Wed better let him In.
Someone might see him"
The other nodded and a moment
later the door opened and In ran
Rusty. Straight TO Elaine h. went.
starting 10 lick her hand.
"RigIt-her dog" exclaimed the 9TH
or man. drawing a gun and hastily lev
cling II al Rusty.
Don't cautioned the first. 1T would
make too much noise. You'd better
choke him
Tie fellow grabbed for Rusty. Rusty
was too quick lie jumped. Around
the room they ran. Rusty saw the
wide-open window-and his chance.
Out he went and disappeared. leaving
the man swearing at him.
A moments argument followed, then
they wrapped Elaine in the blankets
alone. still bound and gagged. and car
ried her out.
In the secret den the Clutching Hand
was waiting. gazing now and then al
his watch. and then at the wounded
man before him. In a chair his first
assistant sat. watching Doctor Martin.
A knock az the door caused them 10
turn their heads. The crook opened Il.
and In walked the other crooks who
had carried of Elaine in the suit Of
armor.
Elaine was now almost conscious. as
they sat her down In a chair. and part
ly loosed her bonds and gag. She
gazed about. frightened.
'Oh. help, help" she screamed. a.
she caught sight OF the now familiar
mask or the Clutching Hand.
Call ali you want-here. young
lady" he laughed u~nnaturally.
Now. doc" he added harstIy 10
Doctor Martin. 1T was she who shot
] him. Her blood must save him"
| Doctor Martin recoiled at the
thought OF torturing the beautiful
young girl before him
"Are-you willing-to have your
blood t~ransfused?" he parleyed.
No. no. no." she cried In horror.
Doctor Martin turned TO the des-
perate criminal. ~ cgrnot do a."
The deuce you can't
A cold steel revolver pressed down
on Doctor Martins stomach.
The other crooks next carried
Elaine. struggling. and threw her
down beside the wounded man.
Doctor Martin. still covered by the
gun. bent over the two. the hardened
criminal and the delicate. beautiful
girl. Clutching Hand glared fendish-
ly. insanely.
From his bag he took a little piece
OF something that shone like silver.
A moment later. Doctor Martin
looked up al the Clutching Hand and
nodded. We'll. it's working"
All were o bending over the two.
Doctor Martin BEN closest over
Elaine. lie looked at her a~nxiously,
felt her pulse. watched her breathing,
then pursed up his lips.
This is-dangerous." he yentured,
gazing askance nj the grim Clutching
Hand.
Cant help H." came back ~laconical-
ly. and rel~entlessly.
The doctor s~huddered.
The man was a veritable vampire.
Outside the deserted house. Kennedy
and ! were looking h~elplessly about.
Suddenly Kennedy reached into his
pocket and produced and pulled out a
noIice whistle. He blew three sharp