The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-20
CON LIN UEO


' AS Craig pointed out the resem-
blances with q pencil my amaze
ment gradually changed into
comprehension and comprehension
into conviction. The meaning of it all
began to dawn on me.
The writing was identical. There
were no differences!
While we were locked in the secre-
tary's 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 to die
tate and that 1t must go off at once.
She said that she would excuse him
a few minutes, and he pressed a but
ton to call his secretary.
OF course, the secretary did not ap-
pear. Bennett left his office, with
some annoyance, and went into the ad-
Joining room, the door to which Ken
Inedy had not locked.
He hesitated moment then opened
the door quietly. To his astonishment
he saw Kennedy, the secretary and
myself apparently making close ex-
animation of the typewriter.
Gliding, rather than walking back
Into his own Office. he closed the door
and locked it. Almost instantly fear
and fury at the presence of his hated
rival. Kennedy, turned Bennett, as it
were, from the Jekyll of a polished
lawyer and lover of Elaine into an in
sanely jealous and revengeful Mr..
Hyde. The strain was more than his
warped mind could bear
With look of intense horror and
1oathing Elaine watched him slowly
change from the composed, calm. in
Itellectual Bennett she knew and re-
spected into a repulsive, mad figure Of
a man.
His stature even seemed to be al
tered. He seemed to shrivel up and
become deformed. His face was terribly
distorted.
And his long, sinewy hand slowly
twisted and bent until he became tt~
personal embodiment Of the Clutchir
Hand.
AS Elaine, transfixed with terror
watched Benefits astounding meta.
morphosis. he ran to the door leading
to the outer Office and hastily locked
that also.
Then, with his eyes cleaning with
rage and his hands working in murder.
GUS frenzy, he crouched nearer and
nearer, toward Elaine.
She shrank back, screaming again
and again in terror.
He was the Clutching Hand
In spite of closed doors we could
now plainly hear Elaines shrieks
Craig. the secretary and myself made
a rush for the door to Benefits pri.
vate Office Finding 1t locked, we be-
gan to batter it.
By this time, however, Bennett had
hurled himself upon Elaine and was
slowly choking her
Kennedy found that ii was impos-
sible to batter down the door in time
by any ordinary means. Quickly he
seized the typewriter and hurled it
through the panels. Then he thrust
his hand through the opening and
turned the catch
As we flung ourselves into the room
Bennett rushed into a closet in a cor.
ner, slamming the door behind him. II
was composed of sheet iron, and effec.
tually prevented anyone from break
ing through. Kennedy and | tried vain
ly, however. to pry it open.
While we were thus endeavoring to
force an entrance Bennett, in sort
of closet. had put on the coat, hat
and mask which he invariably wore
in the character of the Clutching
Hand. Then he cautiously opened a
secret door in the back Of the closet
and slowly made an exit.
Meanwhile the secretary had been
doing his best to revive Elaine, who
was on the floor. hysterical and half
unconscious from the terrible shock
she had experienced.
Intent on discovering BENEFITS
whereabouts, Kennedy and examined
the wall of the Office, thinking there