The Dermott news., 1915-06-17
ELEVENTH EPISODE
THE HOUR OF THREE.

With the ominous foretinger of his Clutchlng Hand extended, the Master Criminal emphasized his instructions 10 his minions.
 Perry Bennett. her lawyer. ia in favor again with Elaine Dodge he was saying 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 seer
 It was in the latest headquarters 10 which Craig had chased the crim- anal. in one of the toughest parts of New Yorks great river front section. Now" went on the Clutching Hand. T want you. Slim. to follow them. bee what they do-where they go. It's her birthday. Something's bound to occur that will give you a lead All Get me-"
 It was. as Clutching Hand had said. E.aiaa's birthday. She had received many callers and congratulations. in- numerable costly and beautiful to- kens of remembrance from her count loss friends and admirers. In the conservatory of the Dodge house Elaine. Aunt Josephine and Susie Mar tin were sitting discussing not only tho happy occasion, but more. the many strange events of the past few weeks. Well. said familiar voice behind them, what would certain blondt ,oung lady accept as a birthday pros ant from her family lawyer
 All three turned in surprise
 Oh. Mir. Bennett" cried Elaine. ow you startled us,"
 rlaine hesitated She was thinking no. so much Of his words as of Ken nedy. To them all. however. il seerned that she was unable to make up her mind what, In the wealth of her luxury. what she would like Susie Martin had been wondering 9whether now that Bennett was here, she was not dc trop. as she looked. at her wrist watch mechanically AS she did so. an idea occurred to her. ''Whv not one Of these'" she cried impulsively, indicating tho watch Fla 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 n sinister figure following them in a cab. Chatting with animation. tho three moved over to the watch counter. while the crook. with determination not to risk missing anything. entered tho shop door. too,
 MT. Thomas" asked Susie as her fathers clerk bowed to them. please show Miss Dodge the wrist watches father was telling about
 Unobserved. tho crook walked over near enough to hear what was going on.
 At last. with much banter and yet care. Elaine sel ,cted one that was In deed a beauty and was about to snap t on her dainty wrist when the clerk Interrupted.
 'I beg your pardon. he suggested. but I'd advise you to leave it to be regulated. if you please"
 Reluctantly Elaine handed 1t over 10 tho clerk
 A moment later they went out and entered the car again.
 As they did so. Slim. who had been looking over various things fin the next case as if undecided. came up to the watch counter
 ''fm making a present" he remarked conhdentally to the clerk. How about those bracelet watches7'
 ,e clerk pulled out some of the
 per ones
 o." he said thoughtfully. pointing
 tray in the showcase, something
 hose"
 ended by picking out ono iden-
 Ike that which Elaine had se-
 and started to pay for it.
 tier have it regulated repeated
 srk
 O." he objected hastily. shaking
 'ad and paying the money qulsK
 It's present-and l want 1t to-
 took the watch and left the store
 dly.
 the laboratory. Kennedy was
 ng over an oblong oak box. per
 eighteen inches in length and