The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-04-09

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" be 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. II was twenty minutes OF
| three!
With mental struggle Kennedy
controlled his loathing of the creature
before him.
"AlI right--but you'll hear from
me-sooner than you suspect" he
shouted. starting for the door.
Then he came back and lifted his
hat, hiding as much as possible the
selenium cell, letting the light fall
on 1t.
only Elaines life has saved you"
With last threat he dashed out.
He hailed cab, returning from some
steamship wharves not far away.
"Quickl" he ordered, giving the
Dodge address on Fifth avenue.
Minute after minute the police and
I waited. Was anything wrong7
Where was Craig?
Just then tremor grew into a
tinkle, then came the strong burr OF
the bell Kennedy needed us.
With shout of encouragement to
the men dashed out and over to the
old house.
Meanwhile Cutching Hand himself
had approached the table to recover
his weapon and had noticed the queer
little selenium CELL
"The deucei" he cried. Hes
planned to get me anyhow"
Clutching Hand rushed to the door
then stopped short. Outside he could
hear the police and myself.
Clutching Hand slammed shut his
door and pulled down over 1t heavy
wooden bar
At the desk he paused and took out
piece OF cardboard. Then, with a
heavy black-marking pencil, he calmly
printed on 1t, while we battered at the
barricaded 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 chair.
indicating the desk.
Just as the swaying and bullying
door gave way, Clutching Hand gave
the desk a pull. 1t opened up--his get
away.
He closed it with sardonic smile
in our direction, just as the door
crashed in.
We looked about. There was not a
soul iRethe room, nothing but the sele-
mum cell. the chairs, the desk.
"Looki" cried, catching sight OF
the index finger, and going over to the
desk.
We rolled back the top. There on
the fiat top was a sign:
Dear 5lockheads:
Kennedy and couldn't walt.
Then came that mysterious sign of
the Clutching Hand.
We hunted over the rooms, but
could find nothing that showed 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 of
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 frock coat followed.
AS he. put the finishing touches on
he looked for all the world like be-
whiskered foreigner
At the door of the new headquarters,
a few seconds later, l stood with the
police.
Not sign of him anywhere"
growled one of the officers.
Elaine was sitting in the library
reading when Aunt Josephine turned
to her.
What time Is 1t, dear?" she asked.
Elaine glanced at her pretty new
trinket.
Nearly three, Auntie-just couple
Of minutes" she said.
Just then there came the sound of
feet running madly down the hallway.
They jumped up, startled.
Kennedy, his coat flying and hat
TANNED over his eyes. had almost
bowled over poor Jennings in his mad
race down the hall.
WELL" demanded Elaine haughtiIy.
what's"
Before she knew what was going or
Craig hurried up to her and literally
ripped the watch OF her wrist, break
ing the beautiful bracelet.
He held it up, gingerly. Elaine was
speechless Was this Kennedy? Was
he possessed by such an inordinate
jealousy of Bennett?
As he held the watch up, the second
haid licked around and the minute