The Monticellonian., 1915-06-03

| " ueH IL IiHSs, Idlu tue uOuoS. JaihC- son will lead you to it. Come. Wal ter" he added, picking up the bags.
 
 Ten minutes later. outside the new headquarters, crouched-up figure, carrying a small package, his face hidden under his soft hat and up turned collar. could have been seen sinking along until he came to the steps
 He went up and peered through the aperture of the doorway. Then he rang the bell Twice he raised his hand and clenehed it in the now fa- miliar clutch.
 A crook inside saw it through the aperture and opened the door. The figure entered and almost before the door was shut tied the masking hand kerchief over his face. which hid his identity from even the most trusted lieutenants. The crook bowed to the chief, who, with a groWl as though of recognition, moved down the hall.
 As he came to the room from which Slim had been sent on his mission, the same group was seated in the thick tobacco smoke.
 You fellows clear out" he growled. T want to be alone.''
 The old man is peeved,' muttered one, outside, as they left.
 The weird figure gazed about the room to be sure that he was alone
 
 When Craig and left the police he had given me most minute instruc- tions which I was now following out to the letter
 T want you to hide there" he said. indicating a barrel back of the house next to the hangout When you see a wire come down from the. headquar- ters, take it and carry it across the lot to the old house. Attach it to the bell; then wait. When it rings, raid the Clutching Hand joint"
 1 waited what seemed to be an in- terminable time back of the barrel. Finally, however, 1 saw a coil of fine wire drop rapidly to the ground from window somewhere above 1 made a dash for it, as though I were trying to rush the trenches, seized my prize and, without looking back to see where it came from, beat a hasty retreat.
 Around the lot I skirted, until at last I reached the place where the police were waiting. Quickly we fastened the wire to the bell.
 We waited.
 Not sound from the bell
 
 Up in the room in the joint the hunched-up figure stood by the table He had taken his hat off and placed it carefully on the table and was now waiting
 Suddenly noise at the door startled him. He listened. Then he backed away from the door and drew revol- yer
 As the door slowly opened there en- tered another figure. hat over his eyes, collar up, a handkerchief over his face, the exact counterpart of the first!
 For a moment each glared at the other
 Hands up!" shouted the first fig ure, hoarsely, moving the gun and | closing the door with his foot. The newcomer slowly raised his crooked hand over his head, as the blue steel revolver gaped menacingly.
 With quick movement of the other hand the first sinister figure removed the handkerchief from his face and strengthened up. It was Kennedy Come over to the center of the room" ordered Kennedy. Clutching Hand obeyed, eyeing his captor closely.
 Now lay your weapons on the ta- ble."
 He tossed down a revolver.
 The two still faced each other.
 Take off that handkerchief! It was a tense moment. Slowly Clutching Hand started to obey. Then he stopped. Kennedy was just about to thunder. "Go on" when the criminal calmly remarked, You've got ME all right, Kennedy, but in twenty minutes Elaine Dodge will be dead!"
 He said it with nonchalance that might have deceived anyone less as. tute than Kennedy. Suddenly there flashed over Craig the words: THE TRICK WILL BE PULLED OFF AT THREE O'CLOCK,"
 There was no fake about that Ken nedy frowned menacingly If he killed Clutching Hand, Elaine would die. If he fought he must either kill or be killed If he handed Clutching Hand over Elaine was lost He looked at his watch. It was twenty-five min utes of three.
 What do you mean-tell mel" de- handed Kennedy with forced calm
 Yesterday MT. Bennett bought a wrist watch for Elaine" the Clutching Hand said quietly. "They left 1t to be regulated. One of my men bought one just like it. Mine was delivered to her today"
 "A likely story" doubted Kennedy
 For answer the Clutehing Hand merely pointed to the telephone.
 Kennedy reached for it.
 "One thing" interrupted the Clutch ing Hand. You are a man of honor"
 "Yes-yes. Go on."
 "If I tell you what to do. you must promise to give me a fighting chance"
 Yes, yes"
 Call up Aunt Josephine, then. Do just as I say"
 Covering Clutching Hand, Kennedy called number. This is MT. Ken nedy Mrs Dodge hid Elaine reeeive