The Raymer enterprise., 1915-06-03

1
while Clutching Hand sat before the
safe watching 1t intentiy.
Someone at the door-Jennings ia
answering the bell." Michael whis.
pered hoarsely.
"Confound III" muttered Clutching
Hand, as both moved again behind the
heavy velour curtains.
I'm 80 glad to see you, Mr.. Ken
nedy,' greeted Elaine unanectedly AZ
Jennings admitted us.
She had heard the bell and was COM
Ing downstairs az We entered. We
three moved toward the library and
someone switched on the lights.
Craig strobe over to the safe. The
cold sweat on It had now turned to
icicles craig's face clouded with
thought as he examined 1t more close
iy. There was actually groaning
sound from within.
1t can't be opened" he said to him
self The time lock is set for tomor.
row morning"
Outside. II we had not been so ab-
sorbed In the present mystery. we
might have seen Michael and the
Clutching Hand listening to US
Clutehing Hand looked hastily at his
watch.
The deuce!" he muttered under his
breath, sitting his suppressed fury.
We stood looking at the safe. Ken.
nedy was deeply interested, Elaine
standing close beside him. Suddenly
he seemed to make up his mind.
"Quick-Elaine," he cried, taking
her arm. Stand back."
We all retreated. The safe door.
powerful as II was, had actually begun
to warp and bend. The plates were
bulging. A moment later, with a loud
report and concussion, the door blew
on.
A blast Of cold air and fakes like
snow flew out. Papers we're scattered
on every side.
We stood gazing, aghast, a second,
then ran forward. Kennedy quickly
examined the safe. He bent down and
from the wreck took up a package,
now covered with white.
As quickly he dropped II.
That is the package that was sent"
cried Elaine.
Taking 1t In table cover, he laid
II on the table and opened II. Inside
was a peculiar shape flask. open at the
top, but like vacuum bottle.
"A Dewar flask" calculated Craig.
What Is it?" asked Elaine, appeal
ing to him.
Liquid air." he answered. "As It
evaporated, the terrific pressure OF
expanding air in the safe increased
until It blew out the door. That is
what caused the cold sweating and the
groans.'
We watched him, startled.
On the other side of he portieres
Michael and Clutehing Hand waited.
Then, in the general confusion Clutch
Ing Hand slowly disappeared, foiled.
Where did this package come
from?' asked Kennedy Of Jennings
suspiciously.
Jennings looked blank.
why" put in Elaine, Michael
brought 1t to me-"
Get Michael" ordered Kennedy.
moment later he returned "I
found him. going upstairs" reported
Jennings, leading Michael in.
Where did you get this packages"
shot out Kennedy.
1T was left at the door, sir, by a
boy, SIR"
Question after question could not
shake that simple, stolid sentence.
Kennedy frowned.
You may go" he said finally, as II
reserying something for Michael later
A sudden exclamation followed from
Elaine as Michael passed down the
hall again. She had moved over to
the desk. during the questioning. and
was leaning against It.
Inadvertently she had touched an
envelope, 1t was addressed. Craig
Kennedy"
Craig tore 1t open, Elaine bending
anxiously over his shoulder. frightened
We read:
YOU HAVE INTERPRETED FOR
THE LAST TIME. IT Is THE END"
Beneath 1t stood the fearsome sign
OF the Clutching Handl
The warning Of the Clutching Hand
had no other effect on Kennedy than
the redoubling of his precautions for
safety. Nothing further happened that
night, however, and the next morning
found us early at the laboratory
IL was the late forenoon, when. aft.
er hurried trip down to the Office, i
re1oined Kennedy at his scientific
workshop. ~
We walked down the street when a
big limousine shot past. Kennedy
stopped in the middle of remark. He
had recognized the car, with a sort of
instinct,
AT the same moment | saw a smil.
Ing face at the window of the car. 1t
was Elaine Dodge.
The car stopped In something less
than iNirp ite lon 10Th 5,,d thea ha,,