The Monticellonian., 1915-06-03

"No." came back the reply, "the watch MT. 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 I will tell you how. You can save her! In that watch" he hissed, "I have set a poi. soned needle in a spring that will be released and will plunge it into her arm at exactly three o'clock. On the needle is rieinusi"
 Craig advanced, furious. As he did so Clutehing Hand pointed calmly to the clock. It was tweNty minutes of three!
 With a mental struggle Kennedy controlled his loathing of the creature before him
 "All 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 it.
 Only Elaines life has saved you" With a 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 I waited. Was anything wrong? Where was Craig?
 Just then a tremor grew into a tinkle, then came the strong burr of the bell. Kennedy needed us.
 With a shout of encouragement to the men I dashed out and over to the 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 "He's planned to get me anyhowl"
 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 it a 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 it, 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 a hand with the index finger pointing. This he placed on a chair, indicating the desk
 Just as the sWaying and bulging door gave way, Clutching Hand gave the desk pull It opened up-his get away.
 He closed it with a sardonic smile in our direction, just as the door crashed in.
 We looked about There was not soul i'll the room. nothing but the sele- nium cell, the chairs. the desk
 Look" I cried, catching sight of the index finger, and going over to the desk.
 
 the fiat top was sign; Dear Blockheads
 Kennedy and couldn't wait.
 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 off his handkerchief, slouch 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 be. whiskered foreigner. At the door of the new headquarters. a few seconds later, I 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 it, 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 damned over his eyes, had almost bowled over poor Jennings in his mad race down the hall
 We'll" demanded Elaine haughtily. whats"
 Before she knew what was going on | Craig hurried up to her and literally ripped the watch off her wrist, break ing the beautiful bracelet.
 He held 1t up. gingerly. Elaine was speeches.. Was this Kennedy? Was he possessed by such an inordinate jealousy of Bennett?
 AS he held the watch up, the second haid ticked around and the minute hand passed the meridian of the hour.
 A vieiously sharp needle gleamed out-then sprang back into the filigree work again
 We'll she gasped again, what's the meaning of this?"
 Craig gazed at Elaine in silence. Should he defend his rudeness, if