The Dermott news., 1915-05-06
FIFTH EPISODE
The Poisoned Room.

Elaine and Craig were much togeth- sr during the next few days. Some how or other it seemed that the chase of the Clutehing Hand involved long conferences in the Dodge library. and even, in fact. extended to excursions into the notoriously crme-nfested netghborhood of Riverside drive. with its fashionable procession of automo- biles and ge-carts--as far north. in- deed as that desperate haunt known as Grants tomb.
 But to return to the more serious aide of the affair
 Kennedy and Elaine had scarcely come out of the house and descended the steps, one afternoon. when a sins- ter face appeared in basement area way near by.
 IL was the Clutching Hand
 He wore telephone inspectors hat and coat and carried bag slung by q strap over his shoulder For once he had left off his mask. but in place of it, his face was covered by a scragEy black beard The disguise was effec- tive
 He saw Kennedy and Miss Dodge and slunk unobtrusiyely against q railing. with his head turned away. Laughing and chatting. they passed
 Then he turned in the other direc. ton and. getHs up the steps ef tho Dodge house. rang the bell.
 Telephone inspector he said in loud tone as Michael. in Jennings place for the afternoon. opened the door.
 He accompanied tho words with the sign. and Michael admitted him.
 As it happened. Aunt Josephine was upstairs in Elaiuo's room She was fixing flowers in vase on ,he dress ing table Of her idollzed niece Mean while. Rusty. the collie. lay. half blink ing. on the floor
 Who is this 9" she asked. as Mi- ehael led the bogus telephone inspec- tor into the room
 "A man from the telephone com pany," he answered deterentially
 Aunt Josephine. unsophisticated. d. lowed them 10 enter without further question.
 Quickly. like good workman. Clutching Hand went to the telephone instrument and by diut of keeping his finger on the hook and his back to Aunt Josephine succeeded In convey ing the illusion that he was examining it
 No sooner was the door shut than the Clutching Hand hastily opened his bag and from 1t drew q small powder spraying outfit. such a5 l have seen used for spraying bug powder. He then took out sort Of muzzle with an elastic band on il and slipped 1t over his head so that the mulzle pro tected his nose and mouth.
 He seemed to work sort of pump Ing, attachment and from the nozzle ol the spraying instrument blew out cloud of powder which he directed at the wall
 Meanwhile. Michael. fin the hallway. on guard to see that no one bothered the Clutching Hand at his work. was overcome oy curiosity to see what his master was doing He opened the door little bit and gazed stealthily through the crack into the room.
 Clutching Hand was now spraying the rug close 10 the dressing table of Elaine and was standing near the mir TOT. He stopped down to examine the rug. Then. as he raised his head. he happened to look into the mirror. In it he could sec the full reflection of Michael behind him. gazing into tho room
 The scoundrel" muttered Clutch ing Hand. with repressed fu~ at the discovery
 He rose quickly and shut on the spraying instrument, stGtling it into the bag He toe step or two toward the door Michael drew back, fear fully, pretending now to he on guard,
 Clutehiug Hand opened the door and, still wearing the nuzzle beck oned to Michael Michael could scarcely control his fears But he obeyed. entering Elaine's room after the Glutohing Hand. who locked the door
 Were you watching me-" demand ed the master criminal. with rage.
 Michael trembling all over. shool his head. For a moment Clutchlng Hand looked him over disdainfully at the clumsy lie.
 Then he brutally struck Michael in che face. knocking Aim down. An un-