The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-17

they led him about to confuse him, but
at last he could feel that they had
taken him into house and along
passageways, which they were making
unnecessarily long in order to de-
stroy all recollection that they could.
Finally he knew that he was in
room in which others were present
A moment later he felt them remove
the bandage from his eyes, and, blink
ing at the light, he could see hard
faced fellow, pale and weak, on
blood-stained couch. Over him bent
a masked man and another man stood
near by endeavoring by improvised
bandages to stop the flow of blood.
what can you do for this fellow"
asked the masked man.
Doctor Martin, seeing nothing else
to do. for he was more than outnum-
bered now. bent down and examined
him.
AS he rose, he said, "He will be
dead from loss of blood by morning,
mo matter if he is properly bandaged."
'Is there nothing that can save
him." whispered the Clutching Hand
hoarsely.
Blood TRANSMISSION might save him."
replied the doctor "But so much blood
would be needed that whoever gives
it would be liable to die himself"
Clutching Hand stood silent a mo-
ment, thinking, as he gazed at the
man who had been one of his chief
reliance Then, with a menacing ges-
ture, he spoke in low, bitter tone:
"She who shot him shall supply the
blood"
A few quick directions followed to
his subordinates, and as he made
ready to go he muttered. Keep the
doctor here. Don't let him stir from
the ROOM"
1t was just before early daybreak
when the Clutching Hand and his con-
federate reached the Dodge house In
the city and came up to the back door,
over the fences. AS they stood there
the Clutching Hand produced a mas
ter key and started to open the door.
But before he did so he took out his
watch.
Let me see," he ruminated. "Twen-
ty minutes past 4. At exactly half
past want you to do as l told you
see?"
The other crook nodded:
You may CO." ordered the Clutch
ing Hand.
AS the crook skunk away Clutching
Hand stealthily let himself into the
house. Noiselessly he prowled through
the halls until he came to Elaine's
doorway.
He gave a hasty look up and down
the hall. There was no sound. Quickly
he took a syringe from his pocket and
bent down by the door. Inserting the
end under it, he squirted some liquid
through, which vaporized rapidly in a
wide, fine stream of spray. Before he
could give an alarm Rusty was over
come by the noxious fumes, rolled
over on his back and lay still.
Outside, the other crook was wait
ing, looking at his watch. AS the hand
slowly turned the half-hour he
snapped the watch shut With quick
glance up and down the deserted
street, he deity started up the rain
pipe that passed near Elaine's win
dow.
This time there was no faithful
Rusty to give warning, and the second
intruder, after glance at Elaine, still
sleeping, went quickly to the door,
dragged the insensible dog cut of the
way, turned the key and admitted the
Clutching Hand. AS he did so he
closed the door.
Evidently the fumes had not
reached Elaine, or, if they had, the
thrush of fresh air revived her, fol
| she walked and quickly reached fol
the gun. In an instant the other crook
had leaped at her Holding his HAND
over her mouth to prevent her scream
ing, he snatched the revolver away be
fore she could fire it.
In the meantime the Clutching Hant
had taken out some chloroform, and
rolling towel in the form of a cone
placed it over her face.
When Elaine was completely undel
the influence of the drug they lifted
her out of bed, the chloroform con,
still over her face, and quietly carried
her to the door, which they had opened
stealthily
|
they came to the library with it's new
safe where they placed her on
couch.
At an early hour an express Wagon
stopped before the Dodge house an,
Jennings, half-dressed, answered tn,
bell.
We've come for that broken suit O
armor to be repaired" said a work
man.
Jennings let the men in The armo
was still on the stand and the repair
ers took armor, stand and all, laying
it on the couch, where they wrappet
it in the covers they had brought TO
the purpose. They lifted it up an,
started to carry it out.
BE careful" cautioned the thrift,
Jennings.
Rusty, now recovered, was barkin,
and shifting at the armor.
Kick the mutt off," growled on,
man.
The other did so, and Rusty snarle,
and snapped at him. Jennings tool
him by the collar and held him as tn
repairers went out, loaded the armo
on the wagon, and drove off.
Scarcely had they gone, while Jen
nings Strengthened out the disarrange.
library, when Rusty began Jumping
about, barking furiously. Jenning
looked at him in amazement as tn,
dog ran to the window and leaped out
He had no time to look after tn
dog. though, for at that very instan
he heard voice calling, Jennings
Jennings!'
| 1t was Marie, almost speeches.. H
followed her as she led the way t,
Miss Elaine's room There Mari