Omaha daily bee., 1915-04-04

pts to Kill Elaine When He Finds
the Master Criminal.
AS Elaine entered his private office,
Bennett rosc to greet her effusively and
they exchanged a few words.
II mustn't forget TO thank you for
those lovely roses you sent me-" she ex-
claimed at length. 'They were beautiful,
and appreciate them over so much"
Bennett acknowledged her thanks. with
a smile, placed a chair for her and they
plunged into a vein of social gossip.
A moment later Bennett led the con-
versation around until he found an OPP
portunity to make a tactful allusion to
the report of their engagement in the
morning papers
He had leaned over, and now attempted
TO take her hand. She withdrew IT,
however. There was something about
his touch which, try rs she might, she
could not like. Was 1t mere prejudice
or was 1t her keen woman's intuition7
Bennett looked at her a moment, sup
pressing a momentary flash of anger
that had Redeemed his face, and con-
trolled himself as II by a superhuman
effort.
|
Kennedy" he exclaimed in O tone that
was almost a hiss. But I tell you,
Elaine. he is all bluff Why. he has been
after that Clutching Hand now for three
months-and what has he accomplished?
Nothingr'
Bennett. by another effort, seemed to
grip his temper again. He paced up and
down the room Then he changed the
/ ~ a..
was resumed with some constraint.
, While Elaine and Bennett were talking
Kennedy and had entered the office.
/ Craig stopped the boy who was about
TO announce US and asked for Benefits
secretary instead, much to my astonish-
ment.
The boy merely indicated the door of
one OF the other private offices, and we
! entered.
we found the secretary hard at work
at the typewriter. copying a legal dOcu-
ment. without q word Kennedy at once
locked the door.
| The secretary rose in surprise. but
I Craig paid no attention to him Instead
/ he calmly walked over TO the machine
and began to examine II.
might / ask began the secretary.
with a nod to me to watch the fellow.
you are under arrest-and the less you
say the better for you"
1 shall never forget the look that
crossed the secretary's face. Was It the
surprise of an innocent man?
Taking the mans place at the machine
| Kennedy removed the legal paper that
/ was In Il and put in a new sheet. Then
4 h. 49,, .ffN
BE AT HEADQUARTERS AT r. DE
STRoY THIS IMMEDIATELY.
TINCTURE OF IODINE
THREE PARTS Of
This Is his contention-wherea TRUTH
! is the only goal and MATTER is nom
existent
TTTTTTTTT TTTTTrTTT TTTTTTTrT
Look. Walter" he exclaimed as he
drew out the paper from the machine.
I bent over ard together we compared
the It's with those in the Clutching Hand
letter. the paper from the bomb and the
letter which Craig had taken from
Elaine's desk
As Craig pointed out the resemblance
with a pencil my amazement gradually
changed into comprehension and COM
prehension into conviction. The meaning
of II all began 10 dawn on me-
The writing was identical. There were
no differences!
While we were locked In the secre-
tarys office Bennett and Elaine were
continuing their chat on various social
topics. Suddenly. however. with a glance
at the clock. Bennett told Elaine that
> he had an important letter 10 dictate
p and that Il must go off at once.
She said that she would excuse him a
few minutes, and he pressed button
20 call his secretary,
: OF course. the secretary did not appear
! Bennett left his office. with some an
, noyance. and went into the adjoining
/ room, the door 10 which Kennedy had
not locked.
! He hesitated a moment then opened
the door quietly. To his establishment
he saw Kennedy. the secretary and my
self apparently making a close examina-
ton OF the typewriter.
/ Gliding rather than walking back into
his own office. he closed the door and
locked IL. Almost instantly fear and fury
at the presence OF his hated rival, Ken
) nedy, turned Bennett, as 1t were, from
the Jekyll Of a polished lawyer and lover
| OF Elaine into an insanely Jealous and
revengeful MIR. Hyde. The strain was
. more than his warped mind could bear
, With a look OF intense horror and loath
ing. Elaine watched him slowly chang'
, from the composed. calm, intellectus
/ Bennett she knew and respected into q
r rCpulsive! mad figure OF q man.
His stature even seemed TO be altered
He seemed 20 shrivel up and become de
? formed. His face was terribly distorted
J And his long, sinewy hand slowly
, twisted and bent, until he became th'
personal embodiment OF the Clutehinl
Hand