The Springdale news., 1915-04-23
ELEVENTH EPISODE
THE HOUR OF THREE.

'l K FiSOR VT n H
 With the ominous foreGuger Of his Clutching Hand extended, the Master Criminal emphasized his instructions to his minions.
 Perry Bennett, her lawyer. is in favor again with Elaine Dodge he was saving She and Kennedy are on the outs even yet But they may become reconciled Then she'll have that fellow on our trail again Before that happens We must get her -see9"
 It was in the latest headquarters to which Craig had chased the crim. inal, in one of the toughest parts of New York's great river front section
 Now" went on the Clutching Hand, T want you. Slim. 10 follow them. See what they do-Where they go. It's her birthday. Something's bound to occur that will give you a lead All you've got to do is to use your head Get me-"
 
 It was, as Clutching Hand had said. Elaine's birthday. She had received many callers and congratulations. in- numerable costly and beautiful to- kens of remembrance from her count. less friends and admirers IH the eonservatory. of the Dodge house Elaine, Aunt Josephine and Susie Mar tin Were sitting discussing not only the happy occasion. but more, the many strange events of the past few weeks
 Well said q familiar voice behind them. what would a certain blonde young lady accept as a birthday pres. ent from her family laWyer2'
 All three turned in surprise
 Oh, Mr. Bennett" cried Elaine. How you startled us"
 Elaine hesitated She was thinking not so much of his words as of Ken. nedy To them all. however. it seemed that she was unable 10 make up her mind what, in the wealth of her luxury. what she would like
 Susie Martin had been wondering whether now that Bennett was here, she was not de trop as she looked al her wrist watch mechanically As she did so, an i'd "a occurred to her.
 Why not one Of these2" she cried impulsively, indicating the watch "Fa- ther has some beauties at the shop
 Oh, good" exclaimed Elaine, how sweet"
 Then let's all go to the shop. said Bennett Miss Martin will personally conduct the tour, and We shall have our pick of the finest stock
 It was too gay party to notice a sinister figure following them il cab. Chatting with animation the three moved over to the watch counter while the crook, with a determination not to risk missing anything entered the shop door, too.
 sr. Thomas asked Susie as her fathers clerk bowed to them, please show Miss Dodge the wrist watches father was telling about
 Tnobserved. the creek walked over near enough to hear what was going on
 At last with much banter and yet care, Elaine selected one that was in. deed a beauty and was about 10 snap it on her dainty wrist when the clerk Interrupted.
 T beg your pardon, he suggested but I'd advise you to leave | to be regulated, if you please.
 Reluctantly Elaine handed 1t over to the clerk.
 A moment later they went out and entered the car again.
 As they did so, Slim, who had been looking over various things III the next case as if undecided, came up to the watch counter
 I'm making present, he remarked confidentally to the clerk How about those bracelet watches
 The clerk pulled out some of the cheaper ones.
 No" he said thoughtfully, pointing out tray in the showcase something like those"
 He ended by picking out one ldeh- tically like that which Elaine had se- lected, and started to pay for It Better have it regulated, repeated the clerk
 "No," he objected hastily, shaking his head and paying the money quick ly Its a present-and l want 1t to- night
 He took the watch and left the store hurriedly.
 In the laboratory, Kennedy was working over an oblong oak box, per haps eighteen inches in length ana