The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-17

seemed 10 pOSSee8 inc man as ne
stood over the prostrate footman.
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 q 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 Clutching Hand turned on
him and seized him by the collar.
Nov, go upstairs, you." he NUT
tered. shaking him until his teeth
fairly chattered. "and If you watch me
again-Ill kill you,"
He thrust Michael away. and the
footman. overcome by fear. hurried
upstairs. Still trembling and fearful.
Michael paused in the hallway.
He put his hand on his face where
the Clutching Hand had struck him.
Then he waited. muttering to himself.
As he thought 1t over. anger took the
place Of fear. He slowly turned in
the direction of the cellar.
Meanwhile. Clutching Hand was
standing by the electric meter. He
examined 1t carefully, feeling where
the wires entered and left 1t. and
starting to trace them out At last
he came to a point where it seemed
suitable to make a connection for
some purpose he had in mind
Quickly he took some wire from his
bag and connected it 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 it
as though seeking something. Then
he bent down beside it and uncovered
a little tank
He thrust his hand gingerly into it,
bringing 1t out quickly. The tank was
nearly full of water.
Next from his capacious bag he
took two metal poles. or electrodes,
and fastened them carefully to the
ends of the wires, placing them at op-
posite ends OF the tank in the water
For several moments he watched.
The water inside the tank seemed the
same as before. only on each elec.
trode there appeared bubbles. on one
bubbles Of oxygen, on the other OF
hydrogen. The water was decompos-
ing under the current by electrolysis.
Another moment he surveyed his
work to see that he had left no loose
ends. Then he quietly let himself
out Of the house.
The next morning Rusty. who had
been Elaine's constant companion
since the trouble had begun. awakened
his mistress by licking her hand as it
hung Imply over the side of her
bed.
She awakened with a start and put
her hand to her head. She felt ILL.,
Poor old fellow" she murmured,
half dazedly.
Rusty moved away again, wagging
his tail listlessly. The collie. too, felt
ill
Why. Miss Elaine-what ees ze
mattair? You are so pale," exclaimed
the maid Marie, as she entered the
room a moment later with the morn
fngs mail on salver.
Il don't feel well. Marie" she re-
piled, trying with her slender white
hand to brush the cobwebs from her
brain. II wish you'd tell Aunt Jo-
sephins to telephone Doctor Hay
ward
Yes. mademoiselle," answered
Marie
Languidly. Elaine took the letters
one by one of the salver.
Finally she selected one and slow.
ly tore It open. 1t had no superscrip-
tion, but 1t at once arrested her at
tention and transfxed her with ter
ror.
1t read:
You are sick this morning. To-
morrow you win be worse. The next
day you will die unless you discharge
Craig Kennedy"
1t was signed with the mystic trade
mark Of the fearsome Clutching
Hand,
Elaine drew back into the pillows,
horror stricken.
Quickly she called to Marie. Go
get Aunt Josephine-right away,
And Marie almost flew down the
hall. Elaine seized the telephone and
called Kennedy's number.
Kennedy, in his stained laboratory
apron, was a. work before his table,
while | was watching him with inter-
est, when the telephone rang.
Without a word he answered the
call, and could see q look of per-
turbation cross his face. / knew it
was from Elaine. but could tell moth
ing about the nature of the message.
An instant later he almost tore on
the apron and threw on his hat and
coat. / followed him as he dashed
out Of the laboratory.
This is terrible-terrible." he NUT
tered as he hurried across the campus
OF the university to a taxicab stand.
A few minutes later. when we ar
rived at the Dodge mansion. we found
Aunt Josephine and Marie doing all
they could under the circumstances.