The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-29


"No," came back the reply. "the
watch Mr.. Bennett bought is Still here
being regulated" NEs
Kennedy hung up the receiver. He
was stunned.
"The watch will cause her death al
three O'clock" said the Clutching
Hand. Swear to leave here without
discovering my identity and WILL tell
you how. You can save her! In that
watch" he hissed. II have set a poi
soned needle in a spring that win be
released and will plunge it into her
arm at exactly three o'clock. On the
needle is ricinus!"
Craig advanced. furious. As no did
so Clutching Hand pointed calmly to
the clock. 1t was twenty minutes Of
three!
With a mental struggle Kennedy
controlled his loathing of the creature
before him.
"All right-but you'll hear from
me-sooner than you suspect" he
shouted, starting for the door.
Then he came back and lifted his
hat, hiding as much as possible the
selenium cell. letting the light fall
on It.
only Elaine's life has saved you.s
With last threat he dashed out
He hailed cab, returning from some
steamship wharves not far away
"Quick!" he ordered. giving the
Dodge address on Fifth avenue.
Minute after minute the police enc
waited. Was anything wrong
Where was Craig?
Just then a tremor grew into
tinkle, then came the strong burr Of
the bell. Kennedy needed us.
With a shout of encouragement te
the men ! dashed out and over to the
old house.
Meanwhile Clutching Hand himself
had approached the table to recover
his weapon and had noticed the queer
little selenium CELL
"The deuce!" he cried. "Het
planned to get me anyhow!"
Clutching Hand rushed to the door
then stopped short. Outside he coult
hear the police and myself.
Clutching Hand slammed shut hi,
door and pulled down over It heavy
wooden bar.
At the desk he paused and took out
a piece of cardboard, Then, with
heavy black-marking pencil he calmly
! printed on 1t, while we battered at the
barricaded door, few short feet away
He laid the sign on the desk, ther
on another piece of cardboard. drew
crudely hand with the index finger
pointing. This he placed on q chair
indicating the desk.
Just as the swaying and bulgini
door gave way, Clutching Hand CAV.
the desk pull. 1t opened up-his get
away.
He closed 1t with sardonic smil,
in our direction. just as the dool
crashed in.
We looked about. There was not
soul in the room, nothing but the sele
mum cell, the chairs, the desk.
Look" I cried. catching sight Of
the index finger, and going over to tn,
desk. -,-
We rolled back the top. There OF
the fiat top was sign:
Dear Bloekheads:
Kennedy and | couldn't wait.
Then came that mysterious sign o.
the Clutching Hand.
| We hunted over the rooms, bui
could find nothing that showed q clue
Where was Clutching Hand? Wher,
was Kennedy?
| In the next house Clutching Hand
had literally come out of an upright
piano into the room corresponding tc
that he had left. Hastily he threw of
his handkerchief, slouch hat, old coal
and trousers. A neat striped pair o!
trousers replaced the old. frayed and
baggy pair. A new shirt, then a sporty
vest and a frock coat followed.
As he put the finishing touches on
he looked for all the world like be
vhiskered foreigner.
At the door of the new headquarters
y few seconds later. stood with the
Police.
met a sign of him anywhere
growled one Of the officers.
|
Elaine was sitting in the library
reading when Aunt Josephine turned
to her.
What time is 1t, dear?" she asked.
Elaine glanced at her pretty new
trinket.
Nearly three, Auntie-just couple
Of minutes" she said.
Just then there came the sound of
feet running madly down the hallway.
They jumped up, startled.
Kennedy, his coat flying and hat
iammed over his eyes, had almost
bowled over poor Jennings in his mad
race down the hall.
WELL" demanded Elaine haughtily,
what's"
Before she knew what was going on
Craig hurried up to her and literally
ripped the watch of her wrist, break
ing the beautiful bracelet.
He held 1t up, gingerly. Elaine was
speechless. Was this Kennedy? Was
he possessed by such an inordinate
jealousy of Bennett?
AS he held the watch up, the second
haid licked around and the minute
hand passed the meridian of the hour.
A viciousiy sharp needle cleaned
out-then sprang back into the filigree