Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-14

Dodge"
Elaine was overcome.
Wont you step in?" he asked suavely "Your
friend here doesn't seem WE'LL
They all entered.
And you-you say-you married this-this
woman to Taylor Dodge?" queried Elaine tensely.
The bogus minister seemed to be very fatherly.
YES" he asserted, II certainly did so'
Have you the record ?" asked Elaine fighting
to the last,
why, yes. l show you the record"
He moved over to the closet. Come over
here" he asked.
He opened the door. Elaine screamed and drew
back. There stood her arch enemy, the Clutching
Hand himself
AS he stepped forth, she turned. wildly to run
anywhere. But strong seized her and
forced her into chair.
She looked at the woman and the minister. 1t
was plot!
moment Clutching Hand looked Elaine over.
put the others out" he ordered the other crook.
Quickly the obeyed, leading "Weepy Mary
and her "son" to the door, and waving them away
he locked it. They left quite much in the
dark about the master criminals identity as
Elaine.
Nov, my pretty dear" began the Clutching
Hand as the lock turned in the vestry door, I'VE
shall be Joined shortly by your friend Craig Ken
needy and" he added with leer, "I think your
rather insistent search for a certain person will
cease"
Elaine drew back in the chair, Mortified at the
implied threat
Clutching Hand laughed diabolcally.
While these astounding events were transpiring
in the little church, Kennedy and had been tear
ing the country in his big following the
directions of fair friend.
We stopped at last before a prosperous attract
ive-looking house and entered a very prettiy fur
nshed. but small, parlor. Heavy portierres hung
over the doorway into the hail. over another into
back room and over the bay windows.
Won't you sit down a moment?" coaxed
Gertie I'm quite blown to pieces after that ride
My, how you dfiye!"
As she pulled aside the hall portierres, three
with guns thrust their hands out turned
Two others had stepped from the back room and
two more from the bay window. We were
rounded. Seven guns were aimed at us with deadly
precision.
Observation-Disclosures no use," shouted Ken
nedy calmly restraining my hand, which had
clapped on my own gun.
At the same time with his other hand he took
from his pocket the small which had seen
him place there and held it aloft.
Gentlemen" he said quietly, 81 suspected some
such thing. have here small box of illuminate
of mercury. If drop it, this building and the en-
tire vicinity will be blown to atoms. Go ahead
shoot" he added, nonchalantly.
The seven OF them drew back. rather hurriedly.
Kennedy dangerous prisoner.
He calmly sat down in arm chair, leaning
bacIas he carefully balanced the deadly little box
Of illuminate Of mercury his knee. He placed
his finger tips together and smiled at the seven
crooks, who had gathered together, staring breath
lessly at this man who toyed with death
Gertie from the room
For a moment they looked at each other, unde-
cided. Then, one by one, they stepped away from
Nv ~ h.
The leader was the last to 60. He had scarcely
taken a step.
''stop!" ordered Kennedy.
The crook did SO. AS Craig moved toward him,
he waited. cold sweat breaking out on his face
Say" he whined. you let me BEL"
1t Intellectual Kennedy. smiling conf
IDENTIFY came closer, still holding the deadly little
box, balanced between two fingers.
He took the crooks gun and dropped It into his
pocket.
sit down." ordered Craig.
Outside the other six parleyed in hoarse whis-
pers. One raised gun, but the woman and the
others restrained him and fled.
Take me to your master!" demanded Kennedy.
The crook remained silent.
Where is he?" repeated Craig. TELL mel"
Still the man remained silent. Craig looked the
fellow over again. Then. still with that confident
smile, he reached into his inside pocket and drew
forth the tube had seen him place there.
mo matter how much you accuse me-" added
Craig casually, mo will ever take the word OF
a crook that reputable scientist like would do
what am about to do"
He had taken out his penknife and opened it.
Then he beckoned to
Bare his arm and hold his wrist. Walter" he
said.
Craig bent down with the knife and the tube
then paused moment and turned the tube SO that
could see Il.
On the label the ominous words:
Germ Culture 624sA. Bacillus Leprac
(Leprosy)."-
Calmly he took the knife and proceeded to make
nineision in the mans arm. The crooks feelings
underwent terrific struggle.
No-no-no-don't," he implored. II will
take you 70 the ClutchinR Hand-Aven AZ he Kills