Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-24

Must you go, too Mr.. Kennedy" she asked,
noticing his position.
I'm afraid Mr.. Jameson and must get back
on the Job before this Clutching Hand gets busy
again." he replied. Reluctantly
"oh, hope you've get him soon!" she ex-
claimed, and there was nothing lifeless about the
way she gave Craig her hand as Bennett, he and I
left moment later.
That morning had noticed Kennedy fussing
some time at the door of our apartment before he
went over to the laboratory AS nearly as could
make out he had placed something under the rug
at the door out into the hallway.
When we approached our door, now. Craig
paused BY pressing little concealed button he
caused panel in the wall outside to loosen dis
closing a small, box-lke plate in the wall under
meath.
1t was about a foot long and perhaps four
inches wide Through 1t a piece of paper
which unrolled from one coil and wound up on an
other, actuated by clockwork. Across the blank
white paper ran an ink line traced by a stylo-
graphic pen, such as had seen in mechanical PEN
ellis used in Offices hotels, banks and such places.
Kennedy examined the thing with interest.
What is IT." asked.
"A new seismograph," he replied, still gazing
carefully at the rolled up part of the paper. II
have installed II because It registers every footstep
the floor OF apartment. We can't be too
careful with this Clutching Hand. 1 want to know
whether We have had any visitors or not in our
absence This straight line indicates that we have
not. Wait moment"
Craig hastily unlocked the door and entered.
Inside could him pacing up and down our
modest quarters.
do you see anything walter7" he called.
looked at the seismograph. The pen had
started to trace its line, longer even and
straight but zgEag at different heights across the
paper.
it?" he inquired.
Splendid idea." answered enthusiastically.
Our apartment wes as have said. modest con-
listing OF large living room. two bedrooms and
hath-an attractive but not ornate, place, which
we found very coy and comfortable On one side
of the room was big fireplace before which stood
fire screen. We had collected easy chairs and
capacious tables and desks. Books were scattered
about, literally overlooking from the crowded
shelves. On the walls were our favorite pictures
while for ornament / suppose might mention my
typewriter and now and then some OF Craig's won
derfu scientific apparatus. as satisfying limited
desire for the purely aesthetic.
We entered and fell to work at the afore-men-
toned typewriter special Sunday story that
mad been forced TO neglect. / not so busy,
however that did not notice out of the corner of
my eye that Kennedy had taken from its cover
Elaine Dodges picture and was gazing at it raven
ously.
put my hand surreptitously over my mouth
and coughed. Kennedy wheeled me, and
hastily banged a sentence out on the machine, max
ing at least half dozen mistakes.
had finished much of the article as / could
do then and was smoking and reading 1t over. Ken
nedy was still gazing at the picture Miss Dodge had
given him, then moving from place to place about
the room. evidently wondering where is would look
best. doubt whether he had done another blessed
thing since we returned.
He tried It on the mantel. That wouldn't do.
AT last he held It up beside picture OF Cation I
think, of finger print and eugenics fame who hung
ON the wall directly opposite the fireplace Hastily
he compared the two. Elane's picture was precisely
the same size.
Next he tore out the picture OF the scientist and
threw it carelessly into the fireplace. Then he
placed Eaines picture In its place and hung II up
again. standing off to admire it.
watched him gleefully. Was this CraigG Pur-
posely I moved my elbow suddenly and pushed a
book with a bang the floor. Kennedy actually
jumped. picked up the book with muttered
apology. No. this not the same old Craig.
Perhaps half an hour later / was still reading.
kennedy was now pacing up and down the room.
apparently unable to concentrate his mind any
hut one subject.
lie stopped a moment before the photograph.
looked at 1t fixedly Then he started his methodI-
cal walk again. hesitated and went TO the tele
phone, calling number which / recognized
"she must have been pretty well done up by
her experience" he said apologetically. catching
my eye. Il was wondering if-hello!-Oh, Miss
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES called up to see II you
all right"
Craig was very much embarrassed. but also very
much In earnest
A musical laugh riDpled over the telephone.
YES I'm all right. thank you. Mr. Kennedy-and
put the package you sent me into the safe butt
"Pacakage?" frowned Craig. why sent you
no package. Miss Dodge. In the safer"
why yes, and the safe is all covered with
E-0isture-and so cold"