The Springdale news., 1915-02-12

ing and inexplcable series of murders that has ever happened in this coun- try And nothing but this uncanny hand to trace them by"
 The editor paused a moment, then exclaimed: Why, this fellow seems to take diabolical-I might almost say ological-pleasure in crimes of violence, revenge, avarice and self protection Sometimes it seems as If he delights in the pure deviltry of the thing. It is weird"
 He leaned over and spoke in a low, tense tone. "Strangest of all, the tip has just come to us that Fletcher, Hax- worth, Sherburne and all the rest of these wealthy men were insured In the Consolidated Mutual Life. Now. Jameson, I want you to find Taylor Dodge, the president, and interview him. Get what you can. at any cost"
 l had naturally thought first of Ken nedy, but there was no time now to call him up and, besides, must see Dodge immediately.
 Dodge, I discovered over the tele. phone, was not at home nor at any of the clubs to which he belonged Late though it was I concluded that he was at his office. No amount of persuasion could get me past the door, and. though l found out later and shall tell soon what was going on there, de- termined, about nine o'clock, that the best way to get at Dodge was to go to his house on Fifth avenue, if had to camp on his front doorstep until morning. The harder found the story to get the more I wanted
 With some misgivings about being admitted, 1 rang the bell of the splet- did, though not very modern. Dodge residence. An English butler, with nose that must have been his fortune. opened the door and grayely informed me that MT Dodge was not at home, but was expected at any moment.
 Once in, l was not going lightly to give up that advantage. bethought myself of. his daughter Elaine. one Of the most popular debutantes of the season, and sent in my card to her, on a chance of interesting her and seeing her father. writing on the bottom Of the card Would like to interview Mir Dodge regarding Clutehing Hand"
 Summoning up what assurance 1 had which is sometimes considerable. l followed the butler down the hall as he bore my card As he opened the door of the drawing-room, I caught a vision of slip of girl in evening clothes.
 Elaine Dodge was both the ingenue and the athlete-the thoroughly mod ern type of girl-equally at home with tennis and tango, table talk and tea
 Near her l recognized from his pie lures Harry Bennett, the rising young corporation lawyer, a mighty good looking fellow, with an affable, pleas ing way about him. perhaps thirty-five years old or so, but already prominent and quite friendly with Dodge
 "Who is it. Jennings?" she asked.
 "A reporter, Miss Dodge" answered the butler, glancing superciliously back at me. And you know how your father
 
 house." he added deferentially to her.
 Miss Dodge" pleaded, lowing as if l had known them all my life, I've been trying to find your father all the evening. It's very important.
 She looked up at me surprised and in doubt whether to laugh or stamp her pretty little foot in indignation at my stupendous nerve
 She laughed You are a very brave young man. she rippled with roguish look at Bennett's discontinue over the interruption of the tete-a-tete.
 There was a note of seriousness in it, too, that made me ask quickly, sW Why"
 The smile fitted from her face, and in it's place came a frank earnest ex- and respect very much. My father has declared he will eat the very next re. porter who tries to interview him Lere," she answered.
 l was about to prolong the waiting time by some jolly about such a stun.
 
 ity such a cannibal of parent, when the rattle of the changing gears of car outside told of the approach of a limousine.
 The big front door opened and Elaine flung herself in the arms of an elderly, stern-faced, gray-haired man. Why, dad" she cried, where have you been? I missed you so much at dinner. I'll be so glad when this ter rible business gets cleared up. Tell me- What is on your mind? What is it that worries you now?"
 I noticed then that Dodge seemed wrought up and bit unnerved, for he sank rather heavily into chair, brushed his face with his handkerchief and breathed heavily. Elaine lowered over him solicitously, repeating her question.
 With mighty effort he seemed to