Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-05-28
SIXTH EPISODE
1.-THE Vampire"

ne VdmptTe.
Kennedy went the next day to tn,
Dodge house, and, as usual, Perry Ben
nett, Elaine's lawyer, was there in the
library with Elaine, still going ovel
the Clutching Hand case in their en-
deavor to track down the mysteriou:
master criminal.
Bennett seemed as deeply as evel
in love with Elaine. Still, as Jennings
admitted Craig, it was sufficiently evi
dent by the manner in which Elaine
left Bennett and ran to greet Craig
that she had the highest regard fol
him.
I've brought you little document
that may interest YOU" remarked Ken
nedy. reaching into his pocket and
pulling out an envelope.
Elaine tore it open and looked at
the paper within.
"Oh. how thoughtful Of you!" she
exclaimed in surprise.
1t was a permit from the police made
out in her name allowing her to car.
~ a revolver.
A moment later. Kennedy reached
into his coat pocket and produced a
little automatic which he handed to
her.
Thank you," she cried, eagerly
Elaine examined the gun with inter-
est. then. raising it. pointed it play.
fully at Bennett.
"Oh, no. MOI" exclaimed Kennedy,
taking her arm quickly and gently, de-
flecting the weapon away. You
mustn't think 1t is toy. 1t explodes
at mere touch of the trigger-when
that safety ratchet is turned"
Bennett had realized the danger and
had jumped back. almost mechanical
ly. As he did so. he bumped into a
suit Of medieval armor standing by
the wall knocking It over, with a re-
sounding crash.
Il beg pardon" he calculated, I'm
very sorry. That was very awkward
of me-"
Jennings. who had been busy about
the portieres at the doorway, started
to pick up the fallen knight.
TOO bad. too bad" apologized Ben
nett profusely. Il really forgot how
close l was to the thing"
"Oh. never mind" returned Elaine,
little crestfallen. 1T is smashed all
right-but 1t was my fault. Jennings,
send for someone to repair it."
1t was late that night that a masked
figure succeeded in raising itself to
the narrow ornamental ledge under
Elaine's bedroom window.
Elaine was light sleeper, and, be-
sides. Rusty, her faithful collie. now
fully recovered from the poison, was
In her room.
Rusty growled and the sudden noise
awakened her.
Startled. Elaine instantly thought of
the automatic. She reached under her
pillow. keeping very quiet, and drew
forth the gun that Craig had given
her. Stealthily concealing her actions
under the covers. she leveled the auto
matte at the figure silhouetted in her
window and fired three times.
The figure fell back.
Down In the street below. the as
sistant OF the Clutching Hand who
bad waited while Taylor Dodge was
was waiting as his con-
pitts Slim"-which indicat-
ed that he was both wiry in stature
and libelous in delegating his nativity
made the attempt.
As Slim came tumbling down, hav-
Ing fallen back from the window above |
wounded, the confederate lift |
cd him up and carried him out of sight |
hurriedly.
Elaine, by this time. had turned on |
the lights and had run to the window |
to look out. Rusty was barking loud
ly.
In side street near by stood a wait
Ing automobile. at the wheel OF which
sat another of the emissaries of the
Hand. The driver looked
up, startled. as he saw his fellow
hurry around the corner carrying the
pitts Slim" 1t was the
work Of just a moment to drop the
wounded man, as comfortably as pos
sible under the circumstances. in the
rear seat. while his pals started the
ear on with jerk in the hurry of es-
cape.
Jennings. having hastily slipped his
trousers on over his pajamas, came
running down the hall, while Marie,
came In the other direc-
ion. Aunt Josephine appeared a few
seconds later, adding to the general
What's the natter" she asked.
lnxiously.
"A burglar. think" exclaimed
elaine. still holding the gun in her