The Ordway new era., 1915-07-09
In spite Of closed doors We could


In spite OF closed doors we could
now plainly hear. Elaine's shrieks.
Craig, the secretary and myself made
a rush for the door to Bennett's pri-
vate office. Finding 1t locked. we be-
gan to batter it. '''
Kennedy found that II was impos-
sible to batter down the door in time
by any ordinary means. Quickly he
seized the typewriter and hurled 1t
through the panels. Then he thrust
his hand through the opening and
turned the catch.
As we flung ourselves into the room
Bennett rushed into closet in cor
ner, slamming the door behind him. It
was composed of sheet iron. and effec.
tually prevented anyone from break
ing through. Kennedy and tried vain
ly, however, to pry 1t open.
While We were thus endeavoring to
force an entrance Bennett. In sort
of closet, had put on the coat. hat
and mask which he invariably wore
In the character of the Clutching
Hand. Then he cautiously opened
secret door in the back of the closet
and slowly MADE an exu.
Meanwhile the secretary had been
doing his best to revive Elaine. who
was on the floor, hysterical and half
unconscious from the terrible shock
she had experienced.
Intent on discovering Bennetts
whereabouts. Kennedy and examined
the wall of the office, thinking there
might be some button or secret spring
which would open the closet door.
While we were doing 80 the door
of a large safe in the secretary's Of
nee gradually opened. and the Clutch
ing Hand emerged from 1t. stepping
carefully toward the door leading to
the outer office. intent on escaping In
that direction.
At that moment I caught sight OF
him, and, leaping into the secretary's
office. I drew my revolver and ordered
him to throw up his hands. He obeyed.
Holding up both hands. he slowly
drew near the door to his private OF
fee.
Suddenly he dropped one hand and
pressed hidden spring in the wall.
Instantly heavy iron door shot out
and closed over the wooden door. En-
trance to the private office was abso-
lutely cut of.
With an angry snarl the Clutching
Hand leaped at me.
As he did SO I fired twice.
He staggered back.
The shots were heard by Kennedy
and Elaine as we'll as the secretary,
and at the same instant they discov-
| cred the iron door which barred the
| entrance to the secretary's office.
Rushing into the outer office they
found the clerks excitedly attempting
to open the door of the secretary's
ofiice, which was locked. Kennedy
drew a revolver and shot through the
lock, bursting open the door.
They rushed into the room.
Clutching Hand was apparently seat
ed In a chair at . desk, his face bur
i led in his arms, whileI was appar-
emily disappearing through the door.
Kennedy and the clerks pounced
upon the figure in the chair and tore
of his mark. To their astonishment
they discovered 1t was myself!
NV shots had missed, and Clutching
Hand had leaped on me with mad
dened fury.
Dressed In my coat and hat. which
he had deftly removed after overpow-
ering me, Clutching Hand had by this
time climbed through the window OF
the outer office and was making his
way down the fire escape to the street.
He reached the foot of the Iron steps,
leaped of and ran quickly away.
Shouting a few directions to the sec.
retary. the clerks and Elaine, Kennedy
climbed through the window and dart
ed down the fire escape In swift pur
suit.
The Clutching Hand, however. man
aged to elude capture again.
While these exciting events were
occurring in Benefits office some
queer doings were in progress In the
heart of Chinatown.
Deep underground. in one OF the
catacombs known only to the inner
most members Of the Chinese secret
societies, was Tong Wah, popularity
known as "the hider," engaged In
some mysterious work.
Before him were eight odd-shaped
Chinese vials, and from these he was
carefully measuring certain proper
tions, as II concocting some powerful
potion.
He stepped back and looked around
suspiciously as he suddenly heard
footsteps above. The next moment
Long Sin. who had entered through
trap door, climbed down long lad
der and walked into the room.
Approaching Tong Wah. he asked
when will the death drink be
ready?"
at is now prepared" was the re-
ply.
A few minutes later the Clutching
Hand drove up to Long Sins house In
the taxicab and. after paying the