Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-01-16

shat mas cNcf udppthtu III ihiS touh'
try. And nothing but this uncanny
hand to trace them by"
The editor paused a moment. then
exclaimed: Why. this fellow seems
say pathological-pleasure in crimes
OF violence. revenge. avarice and self
protection. Sometimes II seems as II
he delights in the pure deviltry of the
thing. II is weird"
He leaned over and spoke In n low.
tense tone. "Strangest of all. the tip
has just come 10 us that Fletcher. Hax-
worth. Sherburne and all the rest Of
these wealthy men were insured in
the Consolidated Mutual Life. Now.
jameson. | want you to find Taylor
Dodge. the president. and interview
him. Get what you can. at any cost.
had naturally thought first Of Ken
nedy. but there was no time now to
call him up and. besides. | must see
Dodge Immediately.
Dodge. I discovered over the tele-
phone, was not at home nor al any of
the clubs 10 which he belonged. Late
though II was | concluded that he was
at his office. No amount OF persuasion
could get me past the door. and.
though I found out later and shall tell
soon what was going on there. | de-
termined. about nine o'clock. that the
best way 10 get at Dodge vas TO 20 to
his house on Fifth venue IN | had
10 camp on his front doorstep until
morning. The harder | found the story
TO get the more ! wanted IL.
With some misgivings about being
admitted. | rang the bell OF the SPLEEN
did. though not very modern. Dodge
residence. An English butler. with a
nos that must have been his fortune.
opened the door and ~gravely Informed
me that Mr.. Dodge Was not at home.
but was expected al any moment.
Once in. | was not going lightly 10
give up that advantage. bethought
myself OF his daughter Elaine. one Of
the most popular debutantes OF the
season. and sent in my card TO her. on
a chance OF interesting her and seeing
her father. writing on the bottom OF
the card Would like TO interview
Mr.. Dodge regarding Clutching Hand"
S~ummoning up what assurance I
had. which il sometimes considerable.
| followed the butler down the hall as
he bore my card. AS he opened the
door OF the drawing-room. ! caught n,
vision OF a slip Of a girl in evening
clothes.
Elaine Dodge was both the incenue
and the athlete-the thoroughly mod.
ern type OF g~irl-equally at home with
tennis and tango. table talk and tea.
Near her ! recognized from his pic
lures Harry Bennett. the rising young
corporation lawyer. a mighty good
looking fellow. with an affable. pleas
ing way about him. perhaps ~thirty-fve
years old or so. but already prominent
and quite friendly with Dodge.
"Who is il. jennings" she asked.
"A reporter. Miss Dodge" answered
the butler. e~lancing superciliously back
AT me. And YOU know how your father
dislikes to see anyone here at the
house." he added deferentially to her.
Miss Dodge" I pleaded. bowling as
II had known them all my life. I've
been trying 10 fnd your father all the
evening. It's very important"
She looked up q. me surprised and In
doubt whether 10 laugh or stamp her
pretty little foot In indignation at my
~stupendous nerve.
She laughed You arc a very brave
Young man she rippled with a roguish
look at Benefits discontinue over the
interruption OF the tete a-tete.
There was a note ~ seriousness in
Il, too. that made NE ask quickly.
"Why?"
h smile fitted from her face. and
70 ~ place came a frank earnest ex-
preston. which | later learned TO like
n respect very much. "My father has
declared he will eat the very next re-.
porter who tries 10 interview him
here. she answered.
was about 10 prolong the waiting
time b. some jolly about such a stun.
ning eirl not having by any POSSIBLE.
lily such a cannibal OF a parent, when
the rattle Of the changing gears OF a
car outside tod OF the approach OF q
Limousine.
The big front door opened and
Elaine flung herself in the arms OF an
elderly. siern-taced. gray-haired man.
Why. dad" she cried. where have
YOU been? | missed YOU so much N
dinner. Ill be so glad when this ter
rible business gets cleared up. Tell
me. What is on your mind? What Il
IL that worries you now?'
| noticed then that Dodge seemed
wrought up and a bit unnerved. for he
sank rather heavily into a chair.
brushed his face with his handkerchief
and breathed heavily. Elaine lowered
over him s~olicitously. repeating her
question.
With a mighty effort he seemed 10
get himself together. He rose and
turned to Bennett.
Harry he exclaimed. I've got the
Clutching Hand,'
The two men stared at each other.
Yes" continued Dodge. I've found
out how 10 trace IL. and tomorrow |
am going to set the alarms OF the city
at rest by exposing"