davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-03-18
One of the maids was sweeping In
the hall as Dan went toward the win

One of the maids was sweeping In
dow, about to wash it.
II wonder whether / locked those
windows?" muttered Jennings paus
ing in the hallway. Il guess I'd net
ter make sure
He had taken only step toward
the library again when Dan watchfully
caught sight of him. 1t would never
do to have Jennings shopping around
there now. Quick action was neces-
sary. Dan knocked over costly
Sevres vase.
"There-clumsy-s what you We
done!" berated Jennings, starting to
pick up the pieces.
Dan had acted his part well ana
promptly In the library Clutching
Hand was busily engaged at that mo-
ment beside the secret panel search
ing for the spring that released It.
He ran his finger along the woodwork
pausing here and there without sue
ceeding
'Confound it!" he muttered, search
ing feverlShly.
Kennedy, having made the arrange.
ments with the telephone company by
which he had a clear wire from the
Dodge house to his laboratory, had re.
Joined me there and was putting on
the finishing touches on his installa-
ton OF the vocaphone.
Every now and then he would
switch 1t on, and we would listen in
it as he demonstrated the wonderful
little instrument to me. We had
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-03-18

had It repaired" he remarked to Aunt
Josephine. Suddenly his face lighted
up. "Ah-an ideal" he exclaimed.
mo one will ever think to look inside
that"
Nov, Mrs. Dodge" he said finally,
as he had completed installing the
thing and hiding the wire under car
connection which he made with the
telephone, don't breathe word of it
to anyone We don't know whom
to trust or suspect"
Elaine's car had stopped finally at
shop on Fifth avenue. She stepped
out and entered, leaving her chauffeur
to wait.
AS she did so, Dan and Billy sided
along the crowded sidewalk.
Dan the Dude left Billy and Billy
surreptitiously drew from under his
coat half loaf of bread. With
glance about, he dropped it into the
gutter close to the entrance to
Elaine's car. Then he withdrew lit
tie distance.
When Elaine came out and ap-
preached her car, Billy, looking as
cold and forlorn as could be, shot for
ward. Pretending to spy the dirty
piece of bread in the gutter, he made
dive for it, just as Elaine was about
to step into the car
Elaine, surprised, drew back Billy
picked up the piece of bread and with
all the actions of having discovered
treasure began to gnaw at it vora-
ciously.
Shocked at the disgusting sight, she
tried to take the bread away from
him.
Il know it's dirty, MISS" whimpered
Billy, "but it's the first food I've seen
for four days."
Instantly Elaine was full Of SYM
patty. She had taken the food
away. That would not suffice
Whats your name, little boy?" she
asked.
Billy" he replied, blubbering.
Where do you live?"
with me mother and father
they're sick-nothing to eat"
He was whimpering an address far
over on the East side.
Get into the car" Elaine directed.
"Gee-but this is SWELL" he cried,
with no fake, this time
On they went, through the tenement
canyons, lodging children and push
carts, stopping first at a grocer's, then
at butchers and a delicatessen.
Finally the car stopped where Billy
directed. Billy fobbled out, followed
by Elaine and her chauffeur. his arms
piled high with provisions. She was
indeed a lovely Lady Bountiful as
crowd of kids quickly surrounded the
car
In the meantime Dago Mike and
ed fiat, before which Billy stopped
Kitty sat on the bed putting dark
circles under her eyes with a black
ened cork. She was very thin and
emaciated, but it was dissipation that
had done it. Dago Mike was CORE
spondingly poorly dressed.
He had paused beside the window
to look out. She's coming he an
nounced finally
nifty hastily JuiHpeu lHtO tHe TICK
ETY. bed, while Mike took up crutch
that was standing idly in corner
She coughed resignedly and he limped
about, forlorn. They had assumed
their parts, which were almost to the
burlesQue of poverty, when the door
was pushed open and Billy burst in,
followed by Elaine and the chauf-
feur.
"Oh, ma-0h, pa" he cried, running
forward and kissing his pseudo par
ents, as Elaine, overcome with sym.
pathy, directed the chauffeur to lay
the things on shaky table.
Just then the door opened again.
All were genuinely surprised this time,
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-03-18
which to record something, "and you,
miss, are a fool!"

winch to record something, and you,
miss, are fool"
There was no combating Miss Stats
Tx. She overwhelmed all arguments
by the very eXactness of ner person
atty.
Elaine departed, speechless. prop
erly squelched. followed by her cnauf-
feur.
Meanwhile, closed car, such as
had stood across from the laboratory,
had drawn up not far from the Dodge
house. Near it was a man in rather
shabby clothes and visored cap on
which were the words in dull gold
lettering. METROPOLITAN Window
Cleaning company" He carried a
bucket and a small extension ladder
In the darllened recesses of the car
was the Clutching Hand himself
masked as usual. He had his watch
in his hand and was giving most min
ute instructions to the window clean.
er about something AS the latter
turned to so, a sharp observer would
have noted that it was Dan the Dude,
still further disguised.
A few moments later. Dan appeared
at the servants entrance of the Dodge
house and rang the bell. Jennings
who happened to be down there, came
to the door.
Man to clean the windows" sa-
luted the bogus cleaner, touching his
hat in way quietly to call attention
to the words on it and drawing from
his pocket faxed written order.
"All right" nodded Jennings. ex-
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-03-18

Kennedy Shows Elaine the Little
aiming the order and finding it ap
parently all right.
Dan followed him in, taking the lad
der and bucket upstairs, where Aunt
Josephine was still reading.
The man to clean the windows
ma'am," apologized Jennings.
"Oh, very WE'LL" she nodded, taking
up her book, to 60 Then, recalling
the frequent injunctions of Kennedy
she paused long enough to speak
quietly to Jennings.
Stay here and watch him. she
whispered as she went out.
Jennings nodded, while Dan opened
window and set to work.
Elaine now decided to go home.
From his closed car. the Clutching
Hand gazed intently at the Dodge
house. He could see Dan on the lad
der, now washing the library window,
his back toward him.
Dan turned slowly and made the
sign Of the hand. Turning to his
chauffeur, the master criminal spoke
few hurried words in low tone and
the driver hurried off,
A few minutes later the driver
might have been seen entering near
by drug store and going into the tele-
phone booth Without a moments
hesitation he called upon the Dodge
house, and Marie, Elaine's maid, an
swered.
q TIM
Tell him a friend wants to speak
| to him.
Wait minute" she answered. I'll
get him"
Marie went toward the library, leav-
ing the telephone off the hook Dan
was washing the windows, half in
side, half outside the house, while Jen-
nings was trying to be very busy, al
though it was apparent that he was
watching Dan closely.
"A friend of yours wants to speak
to you over the telephone, Jennings"
said Marie, as she came into ahe
library.
The butler responded slowly, with a
covert glance at Dan.
NO sooner had they gone, however.
than Dan climbed all the way into the
room. ran to the door and looked after
them. Then he ran to the window
Across and down the street, the
Clutching Hand was gazing at the
house. He had seen Dan disappear
and suspected that the time had come.
Sure enough, there was the sign of
the hand. He hastily got out of the
car and hurried up the street. All
this time the chauffeur was keeping
Jennings busy over the telephone with
some trumped-up story.
AS the master criminal came in by
the ladder through the open window,
Dan was on guard. listening down the
hallway. A signal from Dan. and
Clutching Hand slid back Of the por-
there's. Jennings was returning.
I've finished these windows" an
nounced Dan as the butler reappeared.
Now, I'll clean the hall windows"
Jennings followed like a shadow.
No sooner had they gone than
Clutching Hand stealthily came from
behind the portieres.
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-03-18

In strument That Saved Her Life.
, heard the window cleaner and Jen
nings, but thought nothing of it a
the time.
Once, however, Craig paused, and
saw him listening more intently thar
usual
They've gone out he muttered
but surely there is some one in the
Dodge library"
II listened, too. The thing was sc
sensitive that even whisper could
be magnified, and certainly did hear
something.
Kennedy frowned. What was that
scratching noise? Could it be Jen
nings? Perhaps it was Rusty.
Just then we could distinguish g
sound as though someone had moved
about
"No-that's not jennings" cried
Craig. He went out"
He looked at me moment. The
same stealthy noise was repeated.
IT'S the Clutching Hand" he ex
! claimed excitedly.
A moment later Dan hurried into
the Dodge library.
For heavens sake, Chief hurry
he whispered hoarsely. The Falsers
must have fallen down. The girl her
self is coming!"
Dan himself had no time to waste
He retreated into the hallway just as
Jennings was opening the door for
Elaine.
Marie took her wraps and left her
while Elaine handed her numerous
packages to Jennings.
Dan watched every motion.
Put them away, Jennings" she
said softly.
Jennings had obeyed and gone up.
stairs. Elaine moved toward the Ii.
brary. Dan took quiet step or two
behind her, in the same direction.
In the library Clutching Hand was
now frantically searching for the
spring. He heard Elaine coming and
lodged behind the curtains again Just
as she entered
With hasty look about, she saw
no one. Then she went quickly to the
panel, found the spring and pressed
it. So many queer things had hap
pened to her since she went out that
she had begun to worry over the safe.
ty Of the papers.
The panel opened. They were there
all right. She opened the box and
took them out, hesitating to break the
seal before Kennedy arrived.
Stealthy and tigerlike, the Clutch
ing Hand crept up behind her. AS he
did so, Dan gazed in through the por-
there's from the hall.
With a spring, Clutching Hand
leaped at Elaine, snatching at the pa
pers. Elaine chung to them tenacious,
ly. in spite of the surprise, and they
struggled for them, Clutching Hand
holding one hand over her mouth to
prevent her screaming. Instantly Dan
was there, aiding his chief.
Choke her! Strangle her! Don't
let her scream!" he ground out
They fought viciously. Would she
succeed? It was two desperate, un
scrupulous men against one frail girl
Suddenly, from the man in armor
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-03-18

C'dtne! ne exclaimed, turning
Pale.
for prim, spick and span, middle
aged woman entered.
Il am Miss Statistix, of the organ
lied charities" she announced, look
ing around sharply. Il saw your car
standing outside miss, and the chill
dren below told me you were up here.
/ came up to see whether you were
aiding really deserving poor.
She laid marked emphasis on the
word. pursuing up her lips. There was
no mistaking the apprehension that
these fine birds of prey had of her.
either
"Why-wh-what's the natter"
asked Elaine, fidgeting uncomfortable
This man is a gunman, that wom-
an is a bad woman, the boy is Billy
the Bread Snatcher," she answered
precisely, drawing out q card on
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-03-18
.SV@~
SYNOPSIS.

The New York police are nvstified by a
Series of murders of prominent men. The
principal clue to the murderer is the warn
ing letter which is sent the victims. signed
with "clutching hand" The latest vic
Tim of the mysterious assassin is Taylor
Dodge, the insurance president His
daughter, Elaine, employs Craig Ken
nedy, the famous scientific detective. to
try to unravel the mystery. What Ken
nedy accomplishes is told by his friend
Jameson. q newspaper man. Elaine is kid
mapped by the Clutching Hand. but is res
cued by Kennedy. who has discovered her
whereabouts through using third degree
methods on one of the crooks
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-11-25
Copyright. 1878, by George Barr
McCutcheon.

He made sucn a row about his tub
that had TO give him the pail OF hot
water Britton had placed In my bed
room preparatory to my own bath
At breakfast Jasper complained about
the bats He couldn't for the life OF
him see why ! didn't have screens in
the windows.
Later on Mrs Titus. who had coffee
and toast In her room. Joined us in the
loggia and announced that the coffee
was stone cold Moreover she did not
like the guest chamber into which she
had been moved by order Of the
countess II was too huge for a bed.
chamber, and the iron window shut.
tiers creaked all night long.
But you love the view you have OF
the DanubeT' inquired rather mourn
fully.
II don't sit In the window all night
Mr.. Smart" she said tartly.
at once insisted on her resuming
possession Of my bedroom and prompt
~ Ind all 81 my things moved into
the one she had occupied during the
night when the countess heard 81
thls arrangement she was most indlg-
mint. She got me OF In a corner and
cruelty informed me that hadn't the
vestige OF backbone She must have
said something 10 her mother. too, for
when evening came around | had TO
move back into my own room. Mrs.
Titus sweetly assuring me that under
no consideration wonld she consent 90
impose upon my good nature and hos
pitallty 10 such an extent. etc.
During the day at odd times Colin
graft made lofty suggestions In regard
TO what could he done with the place
10 make II more or less inhabitnble.
and Jasper-who. by the way, was
beginning 10 fear should not like aft
er all-sald he'd just like to have a
whack NJ the thing himself First
thing he'd do would be to turn some
OF those old. unused rooms into squash
and racket courts. and he'd also put in
swimming pool aud hot water
plant.
Late In the afternoon | stole far up
into the eastern tower to visit my
adorable friend Rosemary. We played
house together on the nursery floor.
and | soon got over my feeling OF de-
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-11-25

Not u the least should huVe
thought Of IL myself"
You have 50 much TO think OF, poor
man. And now will you bc good
enough TO have Hawkes. order the man
10 row me across tho
Il am very sorry. Mrs. Titus" said
firmly. but fear ! must declare my.
self cannot permit you to 80 into
the town today"
she was thunderstruck Are you in
earnesty' she cried after searching my
face rather Iutently for moment
"Unhappily, yes VIII you let me ex.
plain
''rhe idea" she exclaimed as she
drew herself to her full height and
withercd me with look Of surprising
scorn Am I to regard myself as q
prisoner. Mr.. SmnrtT
"Oh. beg Of you. Mrs Titus I
began misemhly.
Please answer my question"
Her tone cut me Ike the lash OF a
whip. My cholcr rose
81 do not choose TO regard myself as
a jaller My only object In opposing
this
Il have never known anything 10 ab-
surd" Two bright rel spots appeared
In her cheeks. Your attitude Is most
extraordinary However. shall 90 to
the city this morning. Mr. Smart Pray
give me the credit ~ having sense
enough to- An. Collngraftr'
The two sons approached from the
breakfast room. where they had been
enjoying q 10 o'clock chop Collngrnft.
noting his mothers attire. accelerated
his speed and was soon beside us
Going out, mothery" he inquired.
Ticking the ash from his cigarette
~ Mr. Smart win be good enough
to withdraw his opposition" she said
icily.
lie gave me sharp look What's
upy'
Mrs. Titus doesn't seem 10 realize
the risk she runs in
"Rlskl DO you suppose, Mr.. Smart.
would JeopardIze my daughtcr's"-
what's upr repeated CoIIngmft In.
sistently.
mir. Smart calmly informs me that
am not 10 go into the city"
Il don't see that Mr. Smart has any.
thing TO say about It.. said her son
coldly. III he He paused, glnring
| looked him squarcly In the eye II
he had possessed the acumen of a pol.
lywog he would have seen that my
Dutch was up.
"One moment. Mr. Titus" snid.
setting my jaw. 81 have this TO say
about H. You are guests IN my house.
We are Jointly Interested In the effort
10 protect the Countess Taruowsy I
consider II to be the height 81 impru-
dence for any member Of your family
10 venture into the city now or az any
time during her stay In this castle. I
happen 20 know that Tan0wsy II hav.
ing me watched for some purpose or
other don't think he suspects that
the countess il here. but greatly fear
that be believes | am Interested IN her
cause lie suspects me. You have
heard Of our recent encounter. lie
knows my position pretty well by this
time. Mrs. Titus says that the man
Dillingham; assures her there Is no
danger. Well. can only say that Dil.
bingham is n fool and ! don't purpose
having my own safety threatened by
Your safety" exclaimed he. Il like
that! What have you got 10 be afraid
or"
"You seem TO forget that | am har.
boring a fugitive from Justice" said
fatty.
Mrs. Titus gnspcd. How dare you
The Countess Turnowsy Is wanted
by the authorities FOR kidnapping. and
think you know the facts quite as
well as do" went on hnThly God
knows ! am doing INV host IN protect
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-11-25

her am riskiug more than you seem
TO appreciate II she Is found hero
my position isn't likely 20 be- an IN
vlnble one am not thinking solely
Of myself believe mr, but after all
contend that ! have right 90 assert
myself IN crisis that may arect me
vltaily. trust you win see my posi-
ton and set accordingly with cunsid
Grafton II nothing else
Mrs Titus did not take her eyes ofr
mine while ! was speaking There
was an expression ~ utter amaEement
In them No one had ever opposed her
before IN Just this way ! gathered
She didn't know what 10 make ~ a.
Il fear you eNaggcratc the extent Of
your peril, MIR smart she said dryly
"Of course have no desire ~ put yuu
In jeopardy. but Il seems to me
Leaving the out ~ the case alto
gether. don't YOU think II Is biz un
fair 20 the countcssr asked IN some
heat "She doesn't want 20 go 10 jail
"JailY" she cried augrily
That's no way 10 speak about be-
gan Colinernft urlously
broke In mshly ~ You please.
Mr.. Titus. be good enough 20 keep
your temper have no desire 20 ap
pear harsh aud arbitrary. but 1 can
see that Il Is necessary 10 speak plain
~. There isn't anything IN the world
vii. not DO 10 help you and the
countess IN this unfortunate business,
Mrs. Titus I hope you believe me
when | say m much. ! am her friend
| want TO be yours n you will lei the
But reserve the right % say Whist
shall be aud what shall not be- done M
long NJ you are under my roof lust
a moment. Mr. Tltusl think we ARE
quite agreed that your sister Is 10 de
part from here on the i4th Of tho
month. | am 10 be her escort. 10 10
speak. Tor considerable distance IA
company with Mr. Bangs Well. Il
must bee clearly understood that not
one of you is 10 show bis or her face
outside these walls until after that
journey Is over That's plain speak.
lng, isn't ~"
Il shall go where I please. and IN
20 TO the town today roarcd Colin
graft, getting no further for the ren.
son that hls mother, seeing that I wns
desperately In earnest. gave vent 10 n
little cry ~ alarm and clutchcd her big
son by the shoulder She begged him
TO listen 10 reason.
Reason he gaspcd
III you-or any Of you-put a foot
outside these walls declared. you
will not be allowed TO rc-cutcr That's
natr
"By crickyr fell In fcrvcut ndmIm.
ton from the HIPS Of Jasper junior /
glanced at bis beamlug. astoulshcd
face. He positively was grlnuiug.
Good for you! You're wonder. Mr..
Smart by cricky! And you're dead
right. We're darn fools'"
Jasper" gaspcd Mrs Titus
Good Tor you. Jasperr / cried
warmly and took the hand he prof
fcred.
"Colingrnft please take me 10 my
room" murmurcd the mother. II
feel faint Send for Aline. Ask MIR.
Bangs TO come 10 me ut once"
bowed stliily 81 am sorry. MrA
Titus. to have been 80 harsh. 10 a..
sertive'-
She held mp both hands Il never
was 50 spoken 10 IN aIl my life. Ma.
Smart shall not forget Il to my dy.
Ing day"
She walked away from me, her prct-
ty head held high and her chin sus.
piciousy aquiver Collngrnft FASTENED
after her. but not without giving me a
stare In which rage aud wonder strug
Little Cook" corn; none bet
ter, only l0c the can.-Betters-
worth.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-11-25

myself forgot the thrrr ritu-rs auv
with them MANY of my woes Here
was n cure for the hlurs THIS gty ne
tie kiddic Of the Indispensable Tar
uoWsy'
lay awake Tor hours that night
hut when / finally went "a sleep aud
heaven knows needed Il Il was with
the soporidc resolution Ia pui my house
rigidly In order the very next day Tho
Titus family wmittng the countess
aud Rosemary WIS tu he favored with
an ulilmntum from which there could
be M appeal lohn Rcllamy Smart
had decided with Morpheus smooth.
ing ont the wriuklcS NJ pcrpleXlty
that he would be- master In his own
house
My high resolve naltcned itself oui
little after the sound sleep had.
aud ! make uo doubt should have
wavercd sadly iu ~ purpose had not
crisis arisen 10 shape my courage
Tor me In q rather emphatic way
shortly after breakfast Mrs Titus
came downstairs very smartly gowned
FOR the street She announced that she
was going into the town Tor an hour or
two aud asked me 10 have one OF the
Schmicks ferry her across the river.
There was famous antique shop
there memory Of other duys-and she
wanted 10 browse awhile In search OF
hrasscs aud hronzcs
looked NJ her aChnst recognized
the crisis. but Tor moment was un
nhIe 10 marshall my powers Of resist
aucc Nollnc my CONSERVATION. she
calmly assured me- that there wouldn't
he the least danger of detection. as she
was suiHg 10 be- heavily veiled and
very cautious
My dear Mrs. Titus. murmured
In my dismuy 1T isn't 10 De consId
cred am sure YOU won't persist In
this when { tell YOU that Tumowsy's
agents are sure to see you and"
She laughed '1Nrnowsys agents.
Why should they hc hrrrF
They seem 10 be- cvcrywherc'
81 cam assure yuu there is none with
In hftv miles of SchlosS Rothhocfen.
our men urc IN the city -Four uf them
proceeded me This morning / had Mr.
Baucs telephone 10 the hotel where the
chief operative Is staying IN the guisc
Of nm American tourist. and he does Il
very cicvcrly Tor un Euglishman too
and he assures me that there " ahso-
lutely mo- danger Even Mr. Rangs Is
satisfied"
II am forced 10 say that nm by no
means satisfied that II IL safe or
WIS" thing 10 DO Mrs Titus said.
with more HruursS than { Thought /
possessed
She riispd her delicate eyebrows IN
most exasperatiug. well bred. admoni.
tory way.
u am quite sure, Mr.. Smart, :dst
Dillingham; is a perfectly trustworthy
detective and
hut why take the slightest rlskT'
II Is necessary FOR me to see Dil-
lingham. that Is the long ana short OF
Il. she said coldly "One can't dis
cuss things over Il telephone. you know.
Mr. Bangs understands And. 10y the
way Mr, Smart. have taken the lib
erty OF calling up the central office OF
the telephone company 10 ask II they
can run an extension wire TO my dress
Ing room. ! hope you do not mind"
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-11-25

preston. But even In play | was
made to realize that | was not the
master Of the house. She ruled the
with the utmost despotism, but didn't
mind. She permitted me TO sip honey
from that cunning place In her little
neck and managed TO call me Unko.
My heart grew warm and soft again
under the spell OF her.
The countess watched us at play
from her seat by the window. She was
strangely still and pensive. I had the
feeling that she was watching me all
the time and that there was shadow
Of anxiety In her lovely eyes. She
smiled at our pranks. and yet there
was something sad In the smile
was young again with Rosemary
and fnll OF Rlee. She took me out OF
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-11-25
Subscription rates sl.OO per year.

when the attention of The
Hickman Courier in called to any
mis-statement Of facts, or TO any
error concerning any man or
thing, correction will cheerfully
be made.)