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Show THE TWO 8YN0PSIS. hand. "Someone tried to get into my window. The New York police are mystified by cried Aunt Joseph"My gracious! series of murders of prominent men. The principal clue to tne murderer is ine, in alarm, 'Where will this thing the warning letter which Is sent the vic- end? tims. signed with a "clutching hand. The "Well, Elaine laughed, a little nervlatest victim of the mysterious assassin Taylor Dodge, the insurance president, ously, now that it was all over, "I is daughter, Blaine, employs Craig Kennedy, the famous scientific detective, to want you all to go to bed and stop try to unravel the mystery. What Ken- worrying about me. Dont you see nedy accomplishes is told by his friend Im perfectly able to take care of myJameson, a newspaper man. Clutching Hand tries to kill Blaine by means of a self? Besides, there isnt a chance diabolical device which generates a poison. In the wall paper of her room that is! now of the burglar coming back. Why, deadly to breathe for any length of time. J shot Mm. Again Kennedy's scientific knowledge is' "Yes, put in Aunt Josephine, but brought into play lust in season to save H the heroine from death, Elaine laughingly Interrupted her and playfully made as though she SIXTHEPISODE were driving them out of her room. "Rusty! she called. Down, there!. The Vampire." The intelligent collie seemed to unKennedy went the next day to the! He lay down by the door, derstand. Ben as Dodge hpUhe, and, usual, Perry nett, Elgine's lawyer, was there In thei way, his nose close to the bottom of library with Elaine, still going over the door, and his ears alert Finally Elaine, too, retired again. the Clutching Hand case in their en-- j Meanwhile the wounded man was deavor to track down the mysterious, being hurried to one of the hangouts of master criminal. Bennett seemed as deeply as ever the mysterious Clutching Hand. The car containing the wounded In love with Elaine. Still, as Jennings Pitts Slim drew up, and the other admitted Craig, it was sufficiently evident by the manner In which Elaine two men leaped out of it. With a hurleft Bennett and ran to greet Craig ried glance about they unlocked the that she had the highest regard for front door with a pass key and en1 tered, carrying the man. him. Indoors was another emissary of the "Ive brought you a little document Clutching Hand, a rather studious Ken-' that may Interest you, remarked nedy, reaching into his pocket and. looking chap. Why, whats the matter?" he expulling out an envelope. Elaine tore it open and looked at claimed as the crooks entered his room wounded supporting their the paper within. "Oh, how thoughtful of you! she pal. Slim got a couple of pills, they exclaimed in surprise. as they laid him on a couch. panted It was a permit from the police made "How? demanded the other. out in her name allowing her to car-1- 7 "Trying to get into the Dodge house. a revolver. A moment later, Kennedy reached! Elaine did it. Slim was, quite evidently, badly into his coat pocket and produced a, little automatic which he handed to, wounded and was bleeding profusely. A glance at him was enough for tha her. 'studious-lookinchap. He went to a Thank you, she cried, eagerly. secret panel and, pressing it down, Elaine examined the gun with intertook out what was apparently a secret est, then, raising it, pointed it play- house telephone. at Bennett fully In another part of this mysterious Oh, no, no! exclaimed Kennedy,! house was the secret room of the taking her arm quickly and gently, de- -' You Clutching Hand himself, where he hid fleeting the weapon away. mustnt think it is a toy. It explodes his Identity from even his most trustfollowers. at a mere touch of the trigger when ed His telephone rang and he took that safety ratchet is turned." Bennett had realized the danger and, down the receiver. Pitts Slims been wounded, badly, had jumped back, almost mechanicalwas all he waited to hear. chief," As he did so, he bumped into a ly. With scarcely a word he hung up suit of medieval armor standing by the then opened a table receiver, over a with it the wall, knocking drawer and took out a full face mask. crash. I beg pardon, he ejaculated, Im Next he went to a nearby bookcase, another secret spring, and a Very sorry. That was very awkward pressed panel opened. He passed through, the of me. mask adjusted. Jennings, who had been busy about, Across, in the larger outside study, the portieres at the doorway, startedi another panel opened, and the Clutchto pick up the fallen knight "Too bad, too bad, apologized BenJ ing Hand, all crouched up, transWithout a word he I really forgot how formed, appeared. nett profusely. advanced to the couch on which the close I was to the thing. wounded crook lay, and examined him. Oh, never mind, returned Elaine, How did it happen? he asked at a little crestfallen, it is smashed all length. but was it fault. my right Jennings, Miss Dodge shot him, answered Bend for someone to repair it It was late that night that a masked the others, with an automatic. That Craig Kennedy must have figure succeeded in raising itself to the narrow ornamental ledge under given it to her! he exclaimed with suppressed fury. Elaines bedroom window. For a moment the Clutching Hand Elaine was a light sleeper, and, beto consider. Then he seized stopped sides, Rusty, her faithful collie, now fully recovered from the poison, was the regular telephone. "Doctor Martin? he asked, as he got In her room. Rusty growled and the sudden noise the number he called. Late as it was, the doctor, who was awakened her. surgeon in that part of Startled, Elaine instantly thought of a the automatic. She reached under her the country, answered from an expillow, keeping very quiet, and drew tension of his telephone near his bed. The call was urgent, and apparently fbrth the gun that Craig had given her. Stealthily concealing her actions! from a family which he did not feel under the covers, she leveled the auto-'- , that he could neglect Doctor Martin was a middle-age- d matlc at the figure silhouetted in her window and fired three times. man, one of those medical men on whose judgment one instinctively reThe figure fell back. Down in the street below, the as--, lies. It was only a matter of minutes belatent of the Clutching Hand who; had waited while Taylor Dodge was; fore the doctor was speeding over the electrocuted, was waiting as his con-- ! now deserted suburban roads, apparfederate, "Pitts Slim which indicat- ently on an errand of mercy. At the address that had been ed that he was both winr in stature' and libelous in delegating his nativity given him he drew up to the side of made the attempt the road, got out and ran up the steps As Slim came tumbling down, haw, to the door. A ring at the bell thg fallen back from the window above brought a sleepy man to the door. In mortally wounded, the confederate lift-- j his trousers and nightshirt. "Hows the patient? asked Doctor ed him up and carried him out of sight1 Martin, eagerly. hurriedly. "Patient! repeated the man, rubElaine, by this time, had turned on lights and had run to the window bing his eyes. Theres no one sick to look out Rusty was barking loud- -' here. If. Slowly it dawned on the doctor that In a side street near by stood a wait- It was a false alarm, and that he ing automobile, at the wheel of which, must be the victim of some practical sat another of the emissaries of the. Joke. "Well, thats a great note," he Clutching Hand. The driver looked; up, startled, as he saw his fellow! growled, as the man shut the door. He descended the steps, muttering hurry around the corner carrying the! wounded "Pitts Slim. It was thei harsh language at some unknown work of just a moment to drop the: trickster. As he climbed back into wounded man, as comfortably as pos--, his machine and made ready to start Bible under the circumstances, in tha two men seemed to rise before him rear seat, while his pals started the 'as If from nowhere. car off with a Jerk in the hurry of es- As a matter of fact they had been cape. sent there by the Clutching Hand, and Jennings, having hastily slipped his, were hiding in a nearby cellarway untrousers on over his pajamas, came; til their chance came. One man stood on the running running down the hall, while Marie, frightened, came in the other direc-- . board, on either side of him, and two tlon. Aunt Josephine appeared a few. guns yawned menacingly at him. seconds later, adding to the general "Drive ahead that way! muttered excitement ,one man, seating himself in the run"Whats the matter? she asked, about with his gun close to the doe-toranxiously. ribs. "A burglar, I think, exclaimed The other kept his place on the run Paine, still balding the gun in bar &lo board, sad op they drove In the half-faintin- g . ; well-know- s BOX ELoER NEWS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY direction of the mysterious, dark house. Half a mile, perhaps, down the road, they halted and left the car beside the walk. Doctor Martin was too surprised to marvel at anything now, and he realized that he was in the power of two desperate men. Quickly they blindfolded him. It seeqied an Interminable walk, as they led him about to confuse him, but at last he could feel that they had taken him into a house and along passageways, which they were making unnecessarily long in order to destroy all recollection that they could. Finally he knew that he was in a room In which others were present. A moment later he felt them remove the bandage from his eyes, and, blinking at the light, he could see a hard-face- d fellow, pale and weak, on a 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 outnumbered now, bent down and examined him. As he rose, he said, He will be dead from loss of blood by morning, no matter if he Is properly bandaged. "Is there nothing that can save him? whispered the Clutching Hand hoarsely. "Blood transfusion 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 moment, thinking, as he gazed at the man who had been one of his chief reliance. Then, with a menacing gesture, he spoke In a low, bitter tone: She who shot him shall supply the blood-staine- d blood. A few quick directions followed to his subordinates, and as he made ready to go he muttered, "Keep the doctor here. Dont let him stir from the room. It was just before early daybreak when the Clutching Hand and his confederate 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 master key and started to open the door. But before he did so he took out his watch. Let me see, he ruminated. Twenty minutes past 4. At exactly half past I want you to do as I told you see?" The other crook nodded. "You may go, ordered the Clutching Hand. As the crook slunk away Clutching Hand stealthily let himself into the house. Noiselessly he prowled through the halls until he came to Elaines doorway. He gave a hasty look up and down the hall. There was no sound. Quickly 11, 1915. the officer, eyeing Kennedj her out of bed, the chloroform cons Rusty was trying to lead Kennedy ciously as he stood there still over her face, and quietly carried down the street. armor. What's them pieces Aunt to to her the door, which they had opened Walt here, called Kennedy " j stealthily. Josephine, as he stepped with me on hey? Kennedy quickly flashed j Down stairs they carried her until the running board of the cab. "Go on. I want to' special badge. they came to the library with its new Rusty; good dog! he exclaimed hurriedly,:5 It seemed miles that we went, but girl, safe where they placed her on a bloodhound about here?-couch. at last we came to a peculiarly de- find ahound? Why, we have serted looking house. Here Rusty over there. the at At an early hour an express wagon turned in and began scratching "Bring them quick! atder( stopped before the Dodge house and door. We jumped off the cab and folKennedy held the armor 1.' lowed. answered the Jennings, the dogs. Searchlight! eat" bell. The door was locked when we tried whine, then, followed by TiQbf5 anno we could from come inside and suit of "Weve for that broken it, get was off, all withfnol armor to be repaired, said a work- swer. We put our shoulders to it and others, to the ground. We followed.!1 man. burst It In. Rusty gave a leap forward 1 Jennings let the men in. The armor with a joyous bark. In the mysterious hgonyn was still on the stand and the repairWe followed more cautiously. There ers took armor, stand and all, laying were pieces of armor strewn all over Clutching Hand, all wer 8tjs around Elaine and the It on the couch, where they wrapped the floor. Rusty sniffed at them and Ing Pitts Slim. then in looked the covers they had brought for it disappointed, about, Just then a cry fro the purpose. They lifted it up and howled. startled the rest, gne I looked from the armor to Kennedy group started to carry it out. less hardened than the Be careful," cautioned the thrifty In blank amazement had turned awajr Elaine was kidnapped in the ar- Hand, Jennings. had gone to the frln$ sight, . Rusty, now recovered, was barking mor, he cried. had been attracted by some and sniffing at the armor. side. arthe was He Meanwhile, Kick the mutt off, growled one right "Look! he cried. I at mor repairers had stopped at last man. From the absolute stillifessj The other did so, and Rusty snarled this apparently deserted house, a there was now wild excitsmeL and snapped at him. Jennings took strange sort of repair shop. Still keep- the IF crooks. him by the collar and held him as the ing it wrapped In blankets, they had "Police! sh1 Police!" and they repairers went out, loaded the armor taken the armor out of the wagon as each other fled they by on the wagon, and drove off. had laid It down on an old broken to a secret passage. Scarcely had they gone, while Jen- bed. Then they had unwrapped it and Clutching Hand turnedf to 1 nings straightened out the disarranged taken off the helmet. i; assistant There was Elaine! library, when Rusty began jumping You go, too, he order: 1$ of one Sh! Whats that cautioned about, barking furiously. Jennings el men. looked at him in amazement as the the ' The had led dogs us J, o Sure They paused and listened. dog ran to the window and leaped out. He had no time to look after the enough, there was a sound outside. looking house, and were1 dog, though, for at that very Instant They opened the window cautiously. he heard a voice calling, Jennings, A dog was scratching on the door, endeavoring to get in. It was Rusty. Jennings!" I think Its her dog, said the man, It was Marie, almost speechless. He Wed better let him In. followed her as she led the way to turning. Miss Elaines room. There Marie Someone might see him." The other nodded and a moment pointed mutely to the bed. later the door opened and In ran Elaine was not there. Straight to Elaine he went, There, too were her clothes, neatly Rusty. folded, as Marie had hung them for starting to lick her hand. her. Right her dog," exclaimed the othlevSomething must have happened to er man, drawing a gun and hastily her! walled Marie. eling it at Rusty. Dont cautioned the first. "It would Jennings was now thoroughly make too much noise. Youd better alarmed. Meanwhile the express wagon out- choke him! The fellow grabbed for Rusty. Rusty side was driving off, with Rusty tearAround was too quick. He Jumped. ing $fter It Whats the matter? cried Aunt die room they ran. Rusty saw the window and his chance. Josephine, coming in where the footman and the maid were arguing what Out he went and disappeared, leaving the man swearing at him. was to be done. , A moments argument followed, then She gave one look at her bed, the they wrapped Elaine in the blankets clothes, and the servants. i half-dresse- T ti . wide-ope- n "Call Mr. Kennedy! alarm. she cried in alone, still bound and gagged and carried her out. In the secret den the Clutching Hand Elaine Is gone no one knows how or where, announced Craig, after was waiting, gazing now and then at leaping out of bed that morning to an- his watch, and then at the wounded swer the furious ringing of our tele- man before him. Ib a chair his first assistant sat, watching Doctor Martin. phone bell. A knock at the door caused them to When we arrived at the Dodge house Aunt Josephine and Marie were fully turn their heads. The crook opened it, and in walked the other crooks who dressed. Jennings let us in. What has happened? demanded had carried off Elaine in the suit of armor. Kennedy, breathlessly. Elaine was now almost conscious, as While Aunt Josephine tried to tell they sat her down in a chair, and partShe ly loosed her bonds and gag. gazed about, frightened. Oh, help! help! she screamed, as she caught sight of the now familiar mask of the Clutching Hand. Call all you want here, young lady, he laughed unnaturally. Now, doc, he added harshly to Doctor Martin. "It was she who shot him. Her blood must save him. Doctor Martin recoiled at the thought of torturing the beautiful young girl before him. Are you willing to have your blood transfused? he parleyed. No, no, no! she cried in horror. Doctor Martin turned to the desI cannot do It perate criminal. The deuce you cant A cold steel revolver pressed down on Doctor Martins stomach. The other crooks next carried Elaine, struggling, and threw her down beside the wounded man. Doctor Martin, still covered by the gun, bent over the two, the hardened criminal and the delicate, beautiful girl. Clutching Hand glared fiendishly, Insanely. From his bag he took a little piece of something that shone like silver. A moment later, Doctor Martin looked up at the Clutching Hand and nodded, Well, its working! Holding his Hand Over Elaines Mouth to Prevent Her Screaming, Ha All were now bending over the two. Snatched the Revolver Away Before She Could Fire It ' Doctor Martin bent closest over He looked at her anxiously, Elaine. he a took his from and syringe was pocket him, Craig busy examining the bent down by the door. Inserting the felt her pulse, watched her breathing, room. up his lips. Let us see the library, he said at end under it, he squirted some liquid :then pursed Is "This dangerous," he ventured, which In a through, vaporized rapidly length. at the grim Clutching askance fine stream of Before he gazing wide, spray. Accordingly down to the library we Hand. , could over-an was alarm give Rusty went. Kennedy looked about. He "Can't help it, came back .laconicalcome by the noxious fumes, rolled seemed to miss something. over on his back and lay stllL ly,! and relentlessly. "Where is the armor? he demandThe doctor shuddered. Outside, the other crook was waited. The man was a veritable vampire. watch. As the hand his at ing, looking Why, (he men came for it and took slowly turned the half-hohe it away to repair, answered JenOutside the deserted house, Kennedy snapped the watch shut. With a quick, nings. glance up and down the deserted and 1 were looking helplessly about Kennedys brow clouded In deep street, he deftly started up the rain Suddenly Kennedy reached Into his thought pipe tljat passed near Elaine's win- pocket and produced and palled ont a Outside we had left our taxi waiting. dow. police whistle. He blew three sharp The door was open and & new footThis ' time there was no faithful blasts. man, James, was sweeping the rug, Rusty to give warning, and the second Would It bring help? when past him flashed a dishevelled intruder, after a glance at Elaine, still hairy streak. While we were thus despairing, the Bleeping, went quickly to the door, We were all standing there still as dragged the Insensible dog out of the continued absence of Doctor Martin Craig questioned Jennings about tha way, turned the key and admitted the from his home had alarmed his famarmor. With a yelp Rusty tore fran- Clutching Hand. As he did so he ily, and had set in motion another train of events. tically Into the room. A moment he closed the door. When he did not return, and could the fumes had not. stopped and barked. We all looked at Evidently him in surprise. Then, as no one reached Elaine, or. If they had, the not be located at the place to which moved, he seemed to single out Ken- inrush of fresh air revived her, for he was supposed to have gone, several nedy. He seized Craig's coat In his she waked and quickly reached for pqlicemen had tfeen summoned to his teeth and tried to drag him out the gun. In an Instant the other crook1 house, and they had come, finally, with "Here, Rusty down, sir, down! had leaped at her. Holding his hand real bloodhounds from a suburban staover her mouth to prevent her screamtion. called Jennings. be-- , It had not been long before the party snatched he the revolver ing, no, away No; Jennings, interposed came across the deserted runabout be Craig. "Whats the matter, old fel- fore she could fire It In the meantime the Clutchlag Hand side the road. There they had stopped low ? Craig patted Rusty, whose big brown had taken out some chloroform, and,, for a moment. It was just then that they heard eyes seemed mutely appealing. Out rolling a towel in the form of a cone, of the doorway he went, barking still. placed it over her face. Kennedys call, and one of them had When Elaine was completely under been detailed to answer it Craig and I followed, while the rest the Influent ef the drug Hup lifted "Well, what do you want? asked stood In the vestibule. . llaine Was Kidnaped Cried Kennedy.. I tar leaping up against thejfdtw not stop to knock, bit, eak through, for insid iar faJutly sounds of excises ies of "Police! Police! The door yielded and pea to a long hallway. Up Jies 3 went until we came id d iarei Instant and we were i C8 It was stout, but it s 'isig! The panels began to y iJy( An fit n the other side of thaf c the master crook stootf at. Doctor Martin heSita j iwing quite what to do. ust then the wounded ed his hand feebly. aiely to understand thaUtl 3 up. He touched tbelC10 , 1 ad. chle!7 You did your best, 440 Beat it, it It red thickly. if T a goner, anyway. moved M e; Hand Hutching el in the wall and pushed ttr) ilid open and he stepper in it closed not a seconj the very moment whe Doctor Martin, seeing pped the blood transfus frantically to stay th it sprang to Ela rifled by the blood that sd over everything, ust then the police bti secret panel and ruh os alone, with the ui rcely breathing Elaine, Yom the sounds we coui bad come to the p rival' wa Clutching Hand. It Kennedy 1' j policeman now std ine and the wounded bu i muttering deliriously j le was pretty far gone, j man knelt down and tri I t :ement out of him. whoP-- 1 Who was that man 1 the Clutching Hand? 9 rot a word came from tip had paid loctor Martin butfr i whatever to him, A -desperately now over to to bring her back dler is she going to-! ig frantically. PB very eye was rlvete rtln. She Is all right, he muttM 1 man la going to die. vm-- I s Craig .t the sound of 1 feebly opened her eye. breatheThank heaven, a sigh of Elaine i i, stroked forehead. rrn BE CONTINUED! I 5 . |