The Columbus commercial., 1915-03-21

cursing
Get up" he ordered
Michael obeyed. thoroughly cowed.
Take me TO the cellar. now" he
demanded
Michael led the way from the room
without a protest. the master criminal
following him closely.
Down into the cellar. by a back
way. they went. Clutching Hand still
wearing his muzzle and Michael say
ing not word.
Suddenly Clutchlng Hand turned on
him and seized him by the collar.
Now, 90 upstairs. YOU" he nut.
tered, shaking him until his teeth
fairly chartered, "and II you watch me
again-I'll kill you!"
He thrust Michael away, and the
footman, overcome by fear, hurried
upstairs. Still trembling and fearful,
Michael paused In the hallway.
lie put his hand on his face where
the Clutching Hand had struck him.
Then he waited, muttering to himself.
AS he thought II over. anger took the
place OF fear. He slowly turned In
the direction of the cellar.
Meanwhile, Clutehing Hand was
standing by the electric meter. He
examined 1t carefully, feeling where
the wires entered and left IT, and
starting to trace them out. At last
he came to a point where 1t seemed
suitable TO make connection for
some purpose he had In mind
Quickly he took some wire from his
bag and connected 1t with the electric
light wires. Next, he led these wires,
concealed, of course, along the cellar
floor, in the direction of the furnace,
The furnace was one Of the old hot
air heaters and he paused before II
as though seeking something. Then
he bent down beside 1t and uncovered
little tank.
lie thrust his hand glngerly into II
bringing II out quickly. The tank was
nearly full of water
Next from his capacious bag HI
took two metal poles, or electrodes
and fastened them carefully to thu
ends of the wires. placing them at OF
posite ends OF the tank In the water
! For several moments he watched
The water inside the tank seemed tn
, same as before, only on each elet
trode there appeared bubbles, on on
3 bubbles of oxygen, on the other O
hydrogen. The water was decompo'
, ing under the current by electrolysis
3 Another moment he surveyed hi
= work to see that he had left no loos
: ends Then he quietly let himsel
: out OF the house.
The next morning Rusty, who ha
i been Eaine's constant companio
: since the trouble had begun, awakene
his mistress by licking her hand as
l. hung Imply over the side of he
bed.
!. She awakened with start and pr
r her hand to her head. She felt Ill
Poor old fellow" she murmure'
/, half dazedly.
o Rusty moved away again. waggin
s his tail listlessly. The collie, too, fe
o i'll.
Y. why. Miss Elaine--what ees I
& mattair7 You are so pale!" exclaime
the maid, Marie, as she entered II
n room a moment later with the NOR
IS ing's mail on a salver.
r II don't feel well, Marie" she r
n piled, trying with her slender whit
q hand to brush the cobwebs from h,
h brain 'I---l wish you'd tell Aunt J
it sephine 10 telephone Doctor Ha
D. ward"
Yes, mademoiselle, answers
p Marie.
Of Languidly Elaine took the lette
a one by one of the salver.
at Finally she selected one and slo
ly tore 1t open. 1t had no superscri
y, tion, but 1t at once arrested her |
ID tention and transfixed her with I,
rs ror
is II read:
he You are sick this morning. I
ly morrow you will be worse. The ne
day you will die unless you dischar
ng Craig Kennedy"
of II was signed with the mystic ira,
ir- mark OF the fearsome Clutchi
he Hand!
he Elaine drew back into the pillo'
In horror stricken.
of Quickly she called to Marie. 9
he get Aunt Josephine-right ava!
And Marie almost few down
CHI hall. Elaine seized the telephone 9
he called Kennedys number.
The Kennedy, In his stained laborat,
nto apron, was al work before his tai
ard while was watching him with in'
ar est, when the telephone rang.
Ird. Without a word he answered
oor call, and | could see a look Of !
'ek. turbation cross his face. | knew
uld was from Elaine. but could tell nj
he ing about the nature OF the messs
tier An instant later he almost tore
the the apron and threw on his hat
coat. | followed him as he das
md out OF the laboratory,
This is terrible terrible" he n
ooh tered, as he hurried across the cam
ing Of the university TO a taxicab staI
ully A few minutes later, when we
rived al the Dodge mansion, We 70
In Aunt Josephine and Marie doing