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Show Tire SPANISH FORK PEES3. Pul rose to go and Elam followed her to tho door. No sooner had sha gons than th Clutching Hand rams out from behind ths curtains. Jls gaxd about a mnmmt, then, moving over to tho saf shout which ths two girts bad been talking, stealthily examined It II must have heard someone coming, for with gesture of bat et the saf ItsHf, as though he personified It he slipped hack of the rurtatn again. aha eat Elaine bad returned, and down A the desk to go over eotn papers which Hennett had left rdatlv to letiliug up th estate Ih masked Intruder stealthily and silently withdrew. "A parks Dodge." for you. Ml announced Michael later In th tv nlng, a Elaine, In her dainty evening gown, was still engaged In going over the paiiera. lie carried It In hi hand rather gingerly. II "Mr. Kennedy sent It. ma'am. says It contains clues, and will yon pleas put It In the new safe for him." Eta In took th par hag eagerly and examined It. Then ah pulled open ih little round door of th globular BPANTSII FORK. UTAH far movc in .ml took a position In I It?" h ehcedled of Aunt Jos h rattled some loose change in be lh center of the room, as If on guard, phln. pocket "Here there goe a whole while Clutching Hand sat before th Aunt Josephine nodded acquiescence, day's tips, ar watching It Intently. and a moment later all entered the lie handed Jens a dollar In small "Mo m con th door Jennings Is building. "You you art very csrdul sine answering th hell," Michael whisthat last warning?" asked Elaine as pered hoarsely, "Confound It!" muttered Clutehlng w approached our door. "Mor Hand, as both moved again behind lb than ever now," replied heavy iriour curtains, Craig. "I hav mad up my mind to win." "Im so glad la sew you. Mr. KenKennedy bad started to unlock th nedy," greeted Klaln unaffectedly a door, when he stopped short. Jennings admitted us. "Me," he said, "this Is a precaution Kb had beard th bell and wss com I hav Just lustallod I vlmost forgot in th excitement" W Ing Jonfaira as w entered II pressed g panel and disclosed Hire moved toward th library and someone aw Itched on Ih light. th boxllk apparatus. M (. All KigkU KmntH Cpng, "This I my hlnograph, which tell Craig strode over to th safe. Th YNOPIIi. cold swat on ft had now turned to m whether I have bad any visitors In ated by rlorkAork. Across th punk Icicles If th pen trace g white paper ran an Ink tin traced by Craigs fae rloiided with my absence. Th Nw Toth polio ar mvlllU t as he rxsmltitd It mor close- straight line. It is a.l right: hut If I bad used aa thought stylographlo pen, Otto of Uf.T of pronilitonl mn, 1 ha aeen In mrchanlral ly. There was actually a groaning hello Walter, Hi line Is wavy. lo lli nn-Ipencil used In irlr'lHii rlM I IIh til ih vntmx ino4 office, hotel W exchanged a significant plane. lol or which sound from within. banks auch and placet. "rlulvhln harul." Th Ut-- l tia. im "Would mind er standing himb "It h to said you cant examined with the Kennedy ) opened," thing fim of th miroiorioiM uhuIii self. "The time lock Is set for tomor- down th hall Just a hit while I entoo iniwtHro Ilia Interest hIo, roi(t f.Uloo, KfOOxlp, 4uhlof. row morning. ter?" asked Craig. "Wbal I It?" I asked lo iry i ianiin lh fomoM "He careful," cautioned Elaln. Hi Ih had not been sn abOutside, If "A new klnograpb," h houtnll Vhl mnH replied, lul l by til fricnil, Jomoaon, still romliho I man. w In th sorbed lie unlocked lh door, standing off rolled-uat resent the i gaxlng mystery, carefully Konnolf fruoimi one aid. Then he extended bl M lo hav Inth nor nt seen and might Michael riarioA "1 lo rob part of the paper, bate saf. Wl-- r fcu from ho stalled It hecauee It hand across lb doorway. Mtlll noth- hr u Hand Clutthftig to Milistening out. every "It cold b must register bod boon lmprloil bp lb thugs getting fooutep on the floor of our apartment chael," sh remarked. "Tbla package Clutching Hand looked hastily at bis wateh. We can't he too rareful with this la aa cold as lc." "The deuee!" be muttered undet hla I Hand. know want to Clutching "It Is, ma'am," answered Michael breath, stifling his suppressed fury. whether we or visitors had have any a 8h dosed th safe, and, with, Th Froxan Safa. We stood looking at th safe. Kennot In our absence. Tbl straight tin glsnr at her watch, set tba lima lock lh door of KDbd swung open nedy was deeply Interested. Elaln Indicate the we have not Walt a and went our taxicab aa w pulled up, aafa st upstair to her room. standing rto beside him. ftuddenly moment" No aooner had Klein disappeared last, before tbs Dodge mansion, after h seemed to makw up his mind. door unlocked and the Craig hastily than Michael appeared again, catlike, tba mens of Elaine from the brutal "Quick Elaln!" h cried, taking 1 could see him peeentered. Inside through th curtains from Ih drawing- her arm. "Stand back!" machinations of tba Clutching Uwnd. and down our modest quarters. room, up ing th and, after a glsnc about Itennett was on tbs step of th cab W all retreated. Tba aafa door, "Do you see anything. Waller?" dimly lighted library, discovering that powerful a It waa, had la a moment and together, on on he called. the roast was clear, motioned to a fig- to warp and bend. Thactually begun each side of Elaine, they asauted her plate wm I looked at the klnograpb. The ure hiding behind the portieres. out of the car and up the atrpi to tbs bulging. A moment later, with a loud had started to trace Its line, no pen himA moment and Clutching Hand bouse. report and concussion, th door blew even and straight, but tlgxag, self came out off. Elaine's Aunt Josephine aaa wait- longer t different heights across the paper. II moved over to th aafa and A blast of cold air and flakes Ilk ing for us In tbs drawingroom, very He came to the toor. "What do you looked It over. Then he put out hla now flew out Taper wer scattered much worried. The dear olJ lady was think of It?" I e Inquired. hand and touched II on every side. quite scandalised as Elaine excitedly "Some Idta," I answered enthusi"Listen!" cautioned Michael. We stood gazing, aghast, seconu, told of the thrilling events that bad astically. Someone was coming, and they then ran forward. Kennedy quickly Just taken place. We entered and I fell to work on a hastily slunk behind the protecting examined the safe. II bent down and "And to think they actually carthat I had been portieres. It wss Marie, Elaine's maid. from th wrerk look up a special ried you!" aha exclaimed, horrified, forced toSunday story package, I ao was not busy, neglect. She turned up tba lights and went now covered with whit. adding, "And 1 however, that 1 did not notice out of over to th desk for a book for which As quickly he dropped It "Hut Ur. Kennedy came along and the corner of my eyo that Kennedy "That ta the package that was sent," saved me Just la time," Interrupted had taken from Its cover Elaine Elaine had evidently sent her. Sha cried Elaln. to be and paused listening. appeared Elaine with a smile. "I was well Dodges picture and was gazing at It It In a tall rover, b laid Then she went to the door. Taking I" chaperoned ravenously. It on the table and opened IL Inside she beckoned. "Jennings!" Aunt Josephine turned to Craig, I had finished as much of the article was a peculiar shape flask, open at the Is Marie?" "What he It, replied. I "How can ever thank you ae I could do then and was smoking gratefully. She said nothing, but as he ram up top, hut like n vacuum bottle. enough, Mr. Kennedy," the said fer- and reading It over. Kennedy was "A Dewar flask!" ejaculated Craig. the hall led him to the center of th vently. stm gaxlng at tho picture Miss Dodge "What Is asked Elaine, appealroom. Kennedy waa quite embarrassed. had given him, then moving trom place to him. ing I "Listen! heard and sighs With a smile, Elaine perceived bis to place about the room, evidently groans!" "Liquid sir!" he answered. "As It Jennings looked at her a moment, evaporated, the terrific discomfiture, not at all displeased by It. wondering where It would look best I pressure of "You then laughed. girls! It Was the Clutching Hand. "Come Into the library!" the cried doubt whether he had done another puzzled, In the safe Increased air expanding he exrlalmed. "I suppose always you'll arm. we returned. slure blessed "I've hit gayly, taking something thing until It blew out the door. That is to show you. He tried It on the mantel. That think the library haunted now. what caused the cold sweating and the Ing happened. There was not a sound. He looked rautloualy Into the room. she "Hut. listen," beJennings, per It held Where the old safe, which bad been wouldn't do. At last be up groans." Apparently there was nothing. burnt through, had stood, waa now side a picture of (lalton, I think, of sisted. We watched him, startled. e listen. did Sure enough, Jennings who new a brand On the other aide of the portieres safe of the very latest finger print and eugenics fame, H were been bad there It about the middle of th sounds, weird, uncanny. Michael and Clutching Hand waited. construction and design one of those hung on the wall directly opposite the was room. eerie. the It about an express wagon bad that gazed morning ao safes look that and In are the general confusion, Clutchglobular Then, fireplace. Hastily he compared the pulled up sharply before our apartformidable. two. Elaine's picture was precisely Then be took a few steps toward the ing Hand slowly disappeared, foiled. safe. Marie put out her hand to it and "Where did this package come ment "Here Is the new safe," she pointed the same slxe. "Mr. Kennedy liv here?" asked on out brightly. from?" asked Kennedy of Jennings "It la not only proof Next he tore out the picture of the started back. all covered Is with of safe the expresjroen, descending with that "Why, against explosives, but between the scientist and threw It carelessly Into suspiciously. his helper and approaching our janitor, cold sweat!" she cried with hated looked Is la blank. he Elaine's Then that Jennings the plate placed lining fireplace. proof against thermit and even that cxyacetylene picture In Its place and bung It up breath. Why," put In Elaine, "Michael Jena Jensen, a typical Swede, who was coming up out of th baaemenL Sure enough, the face of the safe brought it to me." blowpipe by which you rescued me again, standing off to admire It. Jens growled a surly, "Yes but Mr. with was beaded dampness. "Get Jennings old 1 ordered holler. Michael, from the It has a time Kennedy. watched him gleefully. Was this A moment later he returned. "I Kannady, he bane out." clock, too, that will prevent Ita being Craig? Purposely I moved my elbow put his hand on it and quickly drew It "Too bad we've got thla large cabopened at night, even If any one should suddenly and pushed a book with a away, leaving a mark on the damp- found him, going upstairs," reported inet he ordered from Grand Itaplda. ness. In. Michael learn the combination." Jennings, leading on floor. the Kennedy actually bang do you think of that?" be "Where did you get this package?" We can't cart It around all day. Cant They atood before the safe a mo- Jumped. I picked up the book with a you let us In so we can leave It?" shot out Kennedy. ment, and Kennedy examined It close- muttered apology. No, this was not gasped. Jenaen muttered: "Well I gueaa It to I'm Miss cried tell Dodge, was going at "It left the a door, sir, by ly with much Interest the same old Craig. bane all right" Marie, genuinely frightened. 6lr." I boy, au was hour still "Wonderful!" he admired. later half Perhaps A moment later she burst Into They took the cabinet off the wagon Question after question could not "I knew you'd approve of It," cried reading. Kennedy was now pacing up Elalne'a room. and tarried It upstair. Jensen opened shake that stolid sentence. alnple, 1 down aud unable the room, "Now apparently have Elaine, much pleased. our door, still grumbling, and they "What la the matter, Marie?" asked Kennedy frowned. to concentrate his mind ou any hut something else to show you." down her book. "You the heavy cabinet In the living placed Elaine, laying "You he said If aa may go," one finally, subject. She paused at the desk, and from a room. look as If you had seen a ghost." for Michael later. something reserving He stopped a moment before the drawer took out a portfolio of large A sudden exclamation followed from it ees Just Ah, but mademoiselle "Sign here." photographs. They were very hand-Buni- n photograph, looked at it fixedly. Then like that. The safe If mademoiselle Elaine as Michael passed down the "You fallers bnne a nuisance," prohe started his methodical walk again, photographs of heraelf. hall again. She had moved over to tested Jena, signing nevertheless. teleover went the to and "Much more wonderful than the hesitated, the desk, during the questioning, and Scarcely had the sound of their safe," remarked Craig earnestly. Then, phone, railing a uumber which I recwas leaning against IL footfalls died away In the outside hallhesitating and a trifle embarrassed, ognized. Inadvertently she had touched an way when the door of the cabinet "She must have been pretty well he added, "May 1 may 1 have one?" It waa addressed, "Craig slowly opened and a masked face proenvelope. "If you care for it." she said, drop- done up by be, experience, he said Kennedy." truded, gazing about the room. I ping her eyes, then glancing up at him apologetically, catching my eye. It was the Clutching Hand! Craig tore It open, Elnlne bending hello! Mlsa if was wondering oh, quickly. hla shoulder, frightened. over anxiously From the cabinet he took a large "Care for It?" he repeated. "It will Dodge I er I er just called up to We read: As wrapped In newspapers. package were all If see he one of the greatest treasures" you right." "YOU HAVE INTERFERED FOR he held It, looking keenly about, hla was much She slipped the picture quickly into embarrassed, very Craig THE LAST TIME. IT IS THE END." eye rested on Elaine's picture. A moan envelope. "Come," she Interrupted. but also very much in earnest. Beneath It stood the fearsome sign ment he looked at It, then quickly at A musical laugh rippled over the "Aunt Josephine will be wondering of the Clutching Hand! the fireplace opposite. here we are. She shes a demon telephone. "Yes, I ni all right, thank s An Idea seemed to occur to him. you, Mr. Kennedy and I put the packchaperon." The warning of the Clutching Hand lie took the package to the fireplace, Bennett, Aunt Josephine and my- age you sent me Into the safe, but" bad no other effect on Kennedy than removed the screen and laid the packself were talking earnestly as Elaine "Paekuge? frowned Craig. "Why, I the redoubling of his precautions for age over the andirons with one end and Craig returned. sent you no package, Miss Dodge. In safety. Nothing further happened that pointing out into the room. That morning I had noticed Ken- the safe? Next he took from the cabinet a night, however, and the next morning nedy fussing some time at the door "Why, yes, and the safe Is all covfound us early at the laboratory. of storage batteries and a coll couple of our apartment before we went over ered with moisture and so cold." It was the late forenoon, when, aft- of wire. Deftly and quickly he fixed to tho laboratory. he , repeated As nearly as 1 "Moisture cold?" er a hurried trip down to the office, I them on the package. could make out he had placed some- hastily. rejoined Kennedy at hla scientific before an alleyway Meanwhile, "Yes. I have been wondering if it Is thing under the rug at the door out workshop. across the street and further down Into the hallway. all right In fact, I was going to call We walked down the street when a the long block the express wagon bad "Well, said Hennett, glancing at you up, only I was afraid you'd think big limousine shot past Kennedy stopped. his watch and rising as he turned I was foolish." stopped in the middle of a remark. He Having completed fixing the batto Elaine, "I'm afraid I must go now." I shall be right over," he answered had recognized the car. with a sort of teries and wires, Clutching Hand ran Ho crossed over to where she stood instinct. hastily, clapping the receiver back on the wires along tho molding on the and shook hands. There was no doubt Us hook. "Walter, he added, seizing At tlie same moment I saw a smil- wall overhead, from the fireplace unthat Hennett was very much smitten his hat and coat, "come on hurry! ing face at the window of the car. It til he was directly over Elaine's picA few minutes later we drove up In by his fair client. was Elaine Dodge. ture. Skillfully he managed to fix the 'Good-by- , a taxi before the Dodge house and The car stopped In something less wires, using them In place of the picMr. Hennett," she than twice Its length and then backed ture wires to support the framed pho"and 1 thank you so much for rang the hell. "A Package for You, Miss Dodge. toward us. hat you have done for me today. Jennings udmitted us sleepily. tograph until It hung very noticeably Hut there was Kennedy, hat off, was at the window askew on tho wall. something lifpless about the words The last wire joined, he looked It could not have been long after we will come down stairs, I will show It In a moment. There were Aunt JoseShe turned quickly to Craig, who had remained standing. left Miss Dodge, late In the afternoon, you. about the room, then nolseLssly moved phine and Susie Martin, also. Puzzled, bu interested, Elaine folWhere are you boys going? asked to tho window and laised tiie shade. Must you go too, Mr. Kennedy? that Susie Mai tin, who had been quite worried over our long absence after lowed her In the library Jennings Elaine, with Interest, then added with f,e asked, noticing his position. Quickly he raised his hand and at the new safe. Elaine a gayety that ill concealed her real the fingers slowly together. I'm afrnhl'Mr. Jameson and I must the attempt to rob her father, dropped pointed mutely brought she had lis- approached it. As they stood about, anxiety, "Im so glad to see you to It was the sign in on Elaine. Wide-eyed- , back on the Job before this Clutchnew beads of perspiration, as it were, se that er nothing has Off In the alley, the e.vpiess driver happened ing Hand gets busy again," he replied tened to Elaine's story of what had formed on it. Elaine touched it and fremi the dreadful Clutching Hand." his helper Jumped into the wagon and happened. luctantly withdrew her hand "Why, we were Just going up to our and r.way It rattled. "And you think this Clutching Hand also quickly iMi. I soon! we them hope you get "I cant imagine whats the matter, rooms." replied Kennedy. recovered tne incriminating Jensen was smoking placidly as the rim exclaimed, and there was nothing has never Hut well said. "Cant we drive you around?" she you to murder Jennings, hint caused Hf' less about that wagon pulled up the second time. papers the way she gave Craig We climbed In and a moment later may go and Marie, also. bar hand, as Uennott, be end I left a yout father? asked Susie. "Sorry," said. the driver sheepishly, When the servants had gone she still were off. The ride was only too short "bit we delivered the Elaine shook her head. "No. Let me moment later. cabinet to the with the same won- for Kennedy. We stepped out in front show you the new safe Ive bought. regarded the safe wrong Mr. Kennedy. When we our now, door, approached dering look, then turning out the of our apartment and stood chatting He pulled out the Inevitable book to Mr. Kennedy thinks it wonderful." Ciaig paused. By pressing a little for a moment. she followed. of It, be light, proud think you'd should "I prove It. concealed button he caused a panel I "Some day want to show you tho She had scarcely disappeared when, must tell father to n the "Wall, you bane fine fallers, wall outside to loosen, dlsclos-ln- admired Susie. "I from the portlered doorway near by, laboratory, Craig was saying. too." growled Jensen, one, puffing like a furnace, a small, boxlike get In wall the Hand must It plate be so Interesting!" ex- In his the Clutching appeared, and, "You cannot go up At that very moment, If they had underneat,., out at them, took a quid: claimed Elaine very enthusiastically. agane." fury. Clutching Hand, with after gazing the It, it was about a foot known Think of all the bad men you must long and perhaps was peering look at the safe. "Well get fired for the mistake," wir inches wide. Through it ran a his sinister, masked face, other have muttered. he Good!" caught!" side the from the helper. pleaded two the girls at t,lpce of paper which unrolled from one Elaine hesitated. ' Would you like Noiselessly Michael of the sinister "Just this once," urged the driver, as 1:011 of the portieres. and wound up on another, actu rr ia ntv-lri- n trl on-pli- !. rir rroo "-o- Ttlr p lry foubthIpisooe sot" Itr "W-wh- - -- mur-mine- ' B change. Mull grumpy, but mollified by tba sliver, Jens let them go tip arid opened lb door to our rooms again. There stood th cabinet, as outwardly Innocent as when It came In. Lugging and fugging they managed lo gel th heavy pier of furniture out end down-laiagain, loading It on th wagon. Then they drov off with It, accompanied by a parting volley from Jensen In an unfrequented street perhaps half a mil away, lh wagon stopped. With a keen glance around, the driver and Ills helper made sur that an one wsa shout "Murh a shaking up ta youve given me!" growled e voir ae th ceblnet door opened. "Hut Ive got him thla rs tlin!" It ws th Clutrlilne, Hand. Crelg gazed Into our living rqonr ran-llotisl- "I can't ae anything wrong," h said I stood Just beside him "Mlsa Dodge," lie added, "will yon and the rest excue ni If 1 ask you to watt Just a moment longer?" Elaln m airbed him, fascinated II crossed th room, then went Into etch of our other room. Apparently nothing was wrong and a minute later h reappeared at tha doorway. "I gueaa It's all right," he said. "Ter haps It waa only Jensen, th Janitor." Elaine, Aunt Josephine end Musi Mertln entered. Craig placed chair for them, hut still 1 could so that ho was uneasy. From time to time, w hit they were admiring on of our treasures after another, be glanced about suspiciously. "What Is the trouble, do you think?" asked Elaln wondetingly. ootlclng bit manner. "I I can't Just ay,"anawered Craig, try In. to gppear easy. "" Kh had risen and with keen Inter- eat waa looking at the books, th pictures, the queer collection of weapon and odds and end from the underworld that Craig had amasae? Ic hi to m. a adventure. At last her eye wandered arms th roou. She caught eight of her own , plctu.-eoccupying a place of booor askew. but hanging "Isn't that Just like a man!" she exclaimed. "Such housekeepers as yoi are auth carelessness! She bad taken a atop or two acrosa the room to straighten the picture. Miss Dodge!" almost shouted Kew nedy, hla face fairly blanched. "Stop!" She turned, her stunning eyes filled with amaiement at hla suddenness. Nevertheless she moved quickly to on aide, as he waved hla arms, unable to speak quickly enough. Kennedy atood quit still, gaxlng at the picture, askew, with suspicion. "That wasn't that way when we left, was It, Walter?" he asked. "It certainly waa not" I answered positively. "There was more time apeut In getting that picture Just right than I ever saw you spend on th room." Craig frowned. A for myself I did not know what to make of It "I'm afraid I shall have to ask yov to atep Into thla back room," (aid Crnlr at length to the ladles. "I'm sorry but we cant be too careful with ( whoever he was." Elaine, however, stopped at the door. For a moment Kennedy appeared to-bconsidering. Then hla eye fell o a fishing rod that stood In a corner. He took It and moved toward the plo-tur- e n. On hla hands and knees, to one aide, down aa close aa he could get to the floor, with the rod extended at arm's length, he motioned to me to do the same, behind him. Carefully Kennedy reached out with the pole and straightened the picture. As he did so there waa a flash, a loud, deafening report, and a great puff of smoke from the fireplace. The fire screen was riddled and overA charge of buckshot shatturned. tered the precious photograph of Elaine. We had dropped flat on the floor at the report. I looked about. Kennedy was unharmed and ao were the rest With a bound be was at the fire place, followed by Elaine and the rest of ua. There, in what remained of a package done up roughly In newspaper, was a shotgun with Its barrel sawed off about six Inches from the lock, fastened to a block of wood, and eonnected to a aeries of springs on the trigger, released by a little electromagnetic arrangement actuated by two butteries and leading by wires up along the molding to the picture where the slightest touch would complete the circuit. A startled cry from Elaine caused us to turn. She wns standing directly before htr shuttered picture where it hung awry on the wall. The heavy charge of buckshot had knocked away large pieces of paper and plaster under it. "C'raig! she gasped. He was at her side in a second. She laid one hand on his arm. as she faced him. With the other she traced an imaginary line in the air from the level of the buckshot to his bead and then straight to the infernal thing that had lain in the fireplace. "And to think, she shuddered, "that It was through me that he tried to kill you! "Never mind, laughed Craig easily, as they gazed Into each others eyes, drawn together by their mutual peril. "Clutching .Hand will have to be cleverer than this to get either of ua Elaine!" (TO BE CONTlNURO. . |