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Show ' i f5 THE BOX ELDER NEW8, TWO THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, ISIS. KM 5 Elaine The Exploits ofPicture and a Motion A Detective Novel Drama By ARTHUR B. REEVE The Novelist and the Creator of the,,CraigKennedy" Stone n Well-Know- 1 Presented In Collaboration With the Pathe Players and the Eclectic Film Company Copyiifhfc i14. br the star Compu The New York police are mystified by series of murders and other crimes. The principal clue to the criminal is the warning letter which Is sent the victims, signed with a clutching hand." The latest victim of the mysterious assassin is Taylor Dodge, the insurance president, tils daughter, Elaine, employs Craig Kennedy, the famous scientific detective, to try to unravel the mystery. What is told by his Kennedy accomplishes friend Jameson, a newspaper man. Enraged at the determined effort which Elaine and Craig Kennedy are making to ut an end to his crimes, the Clutching and, as this strange criminal is known, resorts to all sorts of th. most diabolical schemes to put then, out of the way. Each chapter of the sto., tells of a new plot against their live-- and of the way the great detective uses all his skill to save this pretty girl and himself from death. - SEVENTHEPISODE The Double Trap. Mindful of the sage advice that a time of peace is best employed In pre- J' iarlng for war, I was busily engaged n cleaning my automatlo gun one morning as Kennedy and I were seated In our living room. Our door buzzer sounded, and Kennedy, always alert, Jumped up, pushing aside a great pile of papers which had accumulated In the Dodge case. Two steps took him to the hall, where the day before he had Installed a, peculiar box about four by six inches, connected In some way with a lens-lik- e box of similar size above our bell and speaking tube In the hallway below It He opened It, disclosing an oblong plate of ground glass. I thought the seismograph arrangement was not quite enough after that spring-gu- n affair, he remarked, so I have put in a sort of teleview of my own Invention so that I can ee down into the vestibule downstairs. 'Well just look whos here! d Some periscope arrangement, I suppose? I queried, uov-ln- g slowly over toward ft. However, one look was enough to Interest me. I can express it only In slang. There, framed in the little thing, was a vision of as swell a chicken as I have ever seen. I whistled under my breath. Cm! I exclaimed shamelessly, A pocket Let me Introduce my friend, Mr. Jameson, said Crall presenting me to the pretty crook. The Introduction quickly over, we three went out to get Craig's car, which he kept at a nearby garage. That forenoon Perry Bennett was reading up a case. In the outer office Milton 8chofleld, his office boy, was Industriously chewing gum and admiring his feet, cocked up on the new-fangle- Whos your friend?" I had never said a truer word than in my description of her, though I did not know it at the time. She was indeed known as Gertie the Peach In the select circle where she belonged. Kennedy had opened the lower door and our fair visitor was coming upstairs. Go In there, Walter, he said, seizing me quickly and pushing me into my room. "I want you to wait there and watch her carefully. Kennedy opened the door, disclosing a very excited young woman. Oh, Professor Kennedy, she cried, all in one breath, with much emotion, I cant tell my jewels! They have been stolen and my husband must not know of It Help me to recover them please! Just a moment, my dear young lady," Interrupted Craig, finding at last a chance to get a word in edgeDo you see that table and all ways. those papers? Really, I cant take your case. I am too busy, as it Is, even to take the cases of many of my own clients. "But please. Professor Kennedy Help me. It please! she begged. means oh, 1 cant tell you how much it means to me! She had come close to him and had laid her warm, little aoft hand on his. In ardent entreaty. From my biding place In my room. I could not help seeing that she was being every charm of her sex and personality to lure him on. as she clung confidingly to him. Gertie had thrown her arms about 'Kennedy, ws if In wildest devotion. I "wondered 'what lElalne would 'have thought if she had a picture of that! Oh "she begged -- him, "please please 'help met"Still Kennedy seemed utterly unaffected by her passionate embrace. Carefully he loosened her fingers from about his neck and removed the plump, enticing arms. Gertie sank Into a chair, weeping, while Kennedy stood before bar a moment in deep abstraction. Finally be seemed to make np bis mind to something. His manner toward her changed. Ha took a step . - s . to her side. Hand answered it A moment later. In uncontrollable fury he hurled the Instrument to the floor. Here we've got to act quickly that devil has escaped again, he hissed. We must get her away. You keep her here. Ill be back right away with a car. He dashed madly from the church, pulling off his mask as he gained the . "I will help you, be said, laying his band on her shoulder. If It Is possible I will recover your jewels. Where do yon live?" At Hazlehurst," she replied, grateOh, Mr. Kennedy, how can I fully. ever thank you?" She seemed overcome with gratitude, and took h!s band, pressed It, bven kissed it Just a minute, ha added, carefully extricating his hand. Ill ba ready in , . just a minute. Kennedy entered tbs room where I was listening. Whats It all about, Craig?" I whispered, mystified. For a moment he stood thinking, apparently reconsidering what ha had thought a moment "Tell that woman to state her business in writing, be thundered curtly at Miiton. As the boy turned to go back to the waiting room, Weepy Mary, hear- ing him coming, hastily shoved the cigarette into her sons hand. Mr. Bennett says for you to write out what it Is you want to see him about. reported Milton, Indicating the table before which she was sitting. Mary had automatically taken up sobbing with the release of the cigar rette. She looked at the table on which were letter paper, pens and ink. "I may write here? ahe asked. "Surely, maam, replied Milton, still very much overwhelmed by her sorrow. Weepy Mary sat there, writing and sobbing. In the midst of his sympathy, however, Milton sniffed. There was an unmistakable odor of tobacco smoke about the room. He looked sharply at the son, and discovered the still smoking cigarette. 'It was .too much for Milton's out- There Stood Her Arch Enemy, the Clutching Hand. means that your father married me when I was only seventeen and this boy is our son your No never, cried Elaine vehemently, unable to restrain her disgust. smiled cynically. Weepy Mary Come with me and I will show you the church records and the minister who married us. You will? repeated Elaine defiantly. Well, PH Just do as you ask. Mr. Bennett shall go with me. No, no. Miss Dodge dont go. Leave the matter to me, urged Bennett I will take care of her. Besides, I must be in court In twenty shortly by your friend, Craig Kennedy, and, he added with a leer, I think your rather Insistent search for a certain person will cease. Elaine drew back in the chair, horrified at the implied threat Clutching Hand laughed diabolically. While these astounding events were transpiring in the little church, Kennedy and I had been tearing across the country in his big car, following the directions of our fair friend. We stopped at last before a proshouse and perous, attractive-lookinentered a very prettily furnished, but small parlor. Heavy portieres hung over the doorway Into the hall, over minutes." Elaine .paused, bnt she was thor- .another Into a hack room and over - the bay windows. ; oughly Aroused. down a moment?" Wont sit you "Then I will go with her myself," I'm quite blown to coaxed Gertie. she cried defiantly. In spite .of every objection that Ben- pieces after that ride. My, how yon raged dignity. Bennett did mot allow nett made, Weepy Mary," son' .driver him that coveted privilege. This up- sad Elaine went out to call a;her As she pulled aside the hall portaxicab start could not usurp it to take them to the railroad station tieres, three men with guns thrust He reached over and seized the boy where they conld catch a train to the their hands oat I turned. Two othby the arm, and swung him around Utile town where the woman asserted ers had stepped from the back room tUl ho faoed a sign in the comer on she had been married. and two more from the bay window. the walL Seven guns Meanwhile before a little country Wo were surrounded. See? he demanded. church tn the town, a closed automo- were aimed as us with deadly preciThe sign read, courteously: sion. bile had drawn npt No Smoking In This Office Floats. I As the door opened a figure, humped Gentlemen," he said quietly. PERRY BENNETT. I have suspected some such thing. np and masked, slighted. Leggo my arm, snarled the son, here a small box of fulminate of merIt was the Clutching Hand. .The car had scarcely pulled away cury. If I drop it this building and putting the offensive cigarette defiwhen he gave a long rap, followed by the entire vicinity will be blown to antly Into his mouth. There was every element of a gaudy two short taps, at the door of the atoma Go ahead shoot!" he added, mlxup, when the outer door of the of- vestry, a secret code, evident!. nonchalantly. fice suddenly swung open and Elaine Inside the vestry room a man well The seven of them drew back rathDodge entered. dressed, but with a very sinister face er hurriedly. Gallantry was Miltons middle name, heard the knock and a second later Kennedy was a dangerous prisoner. and he sprang forward to hold the opened the door. He calmly sat down in an arm door, and then opened Bennetts door, "What not ready yet?" growled the chair, leaning back as he carefully as he ushers tn Elaine. Clutching Hand. Quick now get on balanced the deadly Utile box of fulXs the passed Weepy Mary, who those clothes. I heard the train whls-ti- e minate of mercury on his knee, was still writing at the table and cryas I came In the car. In which Gertie ran from the room. ing bitterly, Elaine hesitated and closet does the minister keep them?" For a moment they looked at each looked at her curiously. Even after The crook, without a word, went to other, undecided. Then, one by one, Milton had opened Bennetts door, she a closet and took out s suit of clothes they stepped away from Kennedy tocould not resist another glanoe. In- of ministerial cut Then he hastily ward the door. stinctively, Elaine seemed to scent put them on, adding some The leader was the last to go. He trouble. which he had brought with him. had scarcely taken a step. d Bennett was still studying the At about the same time Elaine, acStop! ordered Kennedy. card when she greeted him. companied by Weepy Mary" and her The crook did so. Aa Craig moved half-brothe- r. . -- . black-bordere- -- J Iny ac Bull street. X-ra- y you. Oh I desk before him. The door to the waiting room opened and an attractive woman of perhaps thirty, dressed In extreme mourning, entered with a boy. Milton cast a glance of scorn at the little dude. He was In reality about fourteen years old, but was dressed to look much younger. Did you wish to see Mr. Bennett?" asked the precocious Milton, politely, on one hand, while on the other he made a wry grimace. Yes here is my card, replied the woman. It was deeply bordered In black. Even Milton was startled at reading it: "Mrs. Taylor Dodge. He looked at the woman In d astonishment. Even he knew that Elaines mother had been dead for years. The woman, however, true to her name in the artistic coterie in which she was leader, had sunk into a chair and was sobbing convulsively, as only Weepy Mary could. It was so effective that even Milton was visibly moved. He took the card In, excitedly, to Bennett. Theres a woman outside says she Is Mrs. Taylor Dodge! he cried. If Milton had had an eye he could have seen her take a cigarette from her handbag and light it nonchalantly the moment he was gone. As for Bennett, Milton, who was watching him closely, thought he was about to discharge him on the spot for bothering him. He took the card, and his face expressed the most extreme surprise, then anger. He 1 open-mouthe- peach! I found you in. All Poreitn Then bis second thought seemed to approve It. This is a trap of the Clutching Hand, Walter, he whispered, adding tensely, and were going to walk right Into it. thats But, Craig, I demurred, Have her trailed anyfoolhardy. thing but He shook his head, and with a mere motion of his hand brushed aside my objections as he went to a cabinet across the room. From one shelf ha took out a small metal box and from another a test tube, placing the test tube In his waistcoat pocket and the small box In his coat pocket with excessive care. Then he turned and motioned to me to follow him out Into the other room. I did so, stuffing my "gatt" Into my a Im so glad ; just done. SYN0P8I8. son," had arrived at the little tumble- toward him, he waited, cold sweat for the ladder leading farther "Who Is that woman? she asked, still wondering about the identity of down station and had taken the only breaking out on his face. the steeple. ) j vehicle In sight, a very ancient car1 the niobe outside. Kennedy followed. Say, he whined, "you let me be! At first he said nothing. But finally, riage. Elaine had recovered jonsc-i It was ineffectuaL Kennedy, smilIt ambled along nntil, at last, it ing confidently, came closer, still hold- almost immediately, and; hea; seeing that she had noticed it, he pulled up before the vestry room door ing the deadly little box, balanced be- commotion, stirred and started handed Elaine the card, reluctantly. Elaine read it with a gasp. The look of the church, just as the bogus min- tween two fingers. and look about of surprise that crossed her face was ister was finishing his transformation From the church she coups' A He took the crooks gun and dropped from a frank crook. Clutching Hand it into his terrible. sounds of the struggle. She Re pocket. was giving him his final instructions. Before she could say anything, howJust long enough to seize th&fff Sit down! ordered Craig. Elaine and the others alighted and ever, Milton had returned with the Outside, the other six parleyed In revolver lying on the floor. if sheet of paper on which Weepy approached the church, while the an- hoarse whispers. One raised a gun, She hurried into the churc vehicle cient rattled to handed and it away. Mary had written but the woman and the others re- into the belfry, thence u tin? Theyre coming! whispered the strained him and fled. Bennett. whence the sounds came. V Bennett read It with uncontrolled crook, peering cautiously out of the The crook by this time half-thdeTake me to your master! window. astonishment outside of the steeple manded Kennedy. Clutching Hand moved silently and What la It? demanded Elaine. The crook remained silent Kennedy was tn cl He handed it to her, and she read: snakelike into the closet and shut the . Where is he? repeated Craig. suit door. As the lawful wife and widow On the top of the steeply "Tell me! How do you do. Doctor Carton?" of Taylor Dodge I demand my Still the man remained silent great gilded cross, considerabl I guess you greeted Weepy Mary. sons rights and my own. looked the fellow over again. than a man. Ab the crook cl Craig dont remember me. MRS. TAYLOR DODGE. still with that confident smile, outside, he scaled the steep) The clerical gentleman looked at Then, Elaine gasped at it into his inside pocket and a lightning rod and softie pi he reached She my fathers wife!" she ex- her fixedly a moment. drew forth the tube I had seen him points to pull himself up deaf Remember you? he repeated. Of What claimed. What effrontery! Kennedy followed nnheaita there. course, my dear. I remember every- place does she mean? There they were, struggling matter how No much accuse you one I marry. Bennett hesitated. ly combat, clinging to the gUdl added no me, one Craig casually, And to whom you remember yoii will ever take the Tell me, Elaine cried. Is there The first I knew of It was a: word of a crook married me? can there be anything In it? No no that a reputable scientist like me gasp from my own crook. Ilk To an man older a TayPerfectly. there Isnt. would do what I am about to do. Bennett spoke in a low tone. 1 lor Dodge. He had taken out his penknife and was overcome. Elaine have heard a whisper of some scan- -' it. Then he beckoned to me. opened Wont you step in? he said dal or other connected with your fathBare his arm and hold his wrist, Your friend here doesnt suavely. He paused. er but Walter, he said. Elaine was first shocked, then Indig- seem well. Craig bent down with the knife and entered. all They nant the tube, then paused a moment and "And you you say you married Why such a thing Is absurd. Show turned to tube so that we could see It woman this to this Dodge? In! Taylor the woman On the label were the ominous No please Miss Dodge. Let me queried Elaine, tensely. words: The bogus minister seemed to be deal with her. Germ Culture 6248A very fatherly. Yes, he asserted, "I By this time Elaine was furious. Bacillus Leprae (Leprosy) Yes I will see her. certainly did so. Calmly he took the knife and proHave yon the record? asked She pressed the button on Bennett's ceeded to make an Incision in the Elaine, fighting to the last desk, and Milton responded. mans arm. The crooks feelings unI can show the Why, yes. you Milton, show the the woman In, derwent a terrific struggle. record. she ordered, and that boy, too. No no no dont, he implored. He move?) over to the closet Come As Milton turned to crook his finger will I to take the you Clutching at Weepy Mary, she nodded surrey over here, he asked. Hand even if he kills me! He door. screamed the Elaine and her opened fingers sharply dug titlously Kennedy stepped back, replacing and drew back. There stood her arch Into sons ribs. the tube in his pocket "Yell you little fool yell, she enemy, the Clutching Hand himself. he agreed. "Very well, go ahead As he stepped forth, she turned wildwhispered. We followed the crook, Craig still But strong Obedient to his "mothers com- ly, to run anywhere. mands, and much to Miltons disgust, arms seized her and forced her Into holding the deadly box of fulminate of mercury carefully balanced so that the boy started to cry la close Imita- a chair. She looked at the woman and the it anyone shot him from a hiding place tion of his elder. It would drop. Elaine was still holding the paper in minister. It was a plot! No sooner had we gone than Gertie A moment Clutching Hand looked her hands when they entered. Elaine over. Put the others out, he hurried to the nearest telephone to What does all this mean? she Inform the Cluchlng Hand of our ordered the other crook. Now, my pretty dear, began the escape. Weepy Mary," between sobs, manElaine had sunk back Into the chair aged to blurt out, You are Miss Clutching Hand as the lock turned In Elaine Dodge, arent you? Well, It the vestry door, we shall be Joined as the telephone rang. Clutching g Kennedy had forced the crook ahead of us into the car which waa waiting, and I followed, taking the wheel this time. Which way, now quick! demanded Craig. And if you get me in wrong Ive got that tube yet you remember." Our crook started off with a whole burst of directions that rivaled the motor guide through the town, following trolley tracks. Jog right, Jog left under the railroad bridge, leaving trolley tracks; at the cemetery turn left, stopping at the old stone church. Is this it? asked Craig incredulously. Yes as I live, swore the crook in a cowed voice. He had gone to pieces. Kennedy jumped from the machine. Here, take this gun, Walter," he said to me. Dont take your eyes off the fellow keep him covered. Craig walked around the church, out of sight, until he came to a small vestry window and looked in. There was Elaine, sitting In a chair, and near her stood an elderly-lookin- g man In clerical garb, which to Craigs trained eye was quite evidently a disguise. Elaine happened just then to glance at the window and her eyes grew wide with astonishment at the sight of Craig. He made a hasty motion to her to make a dash for the door. She nodded quietly. With a glance at her guardian Bhe suddenly made a rush. He was at her In a moment, pouno-lnon her. catlike. Kennedy had seised an Iron bar that lay beside the window where jome workmen had been repairing the stone pavement, and with a blow shattered g the glass and the sash. Just Then I Saw a Tense With Horror; It W: carefully, fearing it was a me off my guard.' There were Kennedy and crook, struggling, swaying) b forth, between life and death. There was nothing I could d1 Kennedy was clinging to) ning rod on the cross. IJ It broke. I gasped as Craig reeled a he managed to catch hold fof farther down and cling to The crook began to exiilt3-cally. Holding with both hanir stal cross he let himself out ljpl con length and stamped on Keqnl-mtlingers. trying every way to dislaw8 wi It was all Kennedy could do iach d his hold. 1 cried out in agony at th. he had dislodged one of Craigr paI The other could not hold much1 of dis1 ; He was about to fall. a saw I face at tMe : Just then window opening out from thfe that to the outside of the steepe-ect- io ans face, tense with horror. n It was Elaine! I ie spe Quickly a hand followed! aie B was a revolver. f Info: Just as the crook was ab 8car lodge Kennedys other hand 1 flash and puff of smoke, and i later heard a report and jijUfrk, r.gges and another. Horrors I ithusi The crook who had takeuWp!e seemed to stagger back, wlldfcy e( a couple of steps in the thin jmal t Kennedy regained his hoi With a sickening thud the , landed on the grouhl tw the corner of .the church f4:tllin Gome you! I ground Ing my own crook with the pfciimd If a jgetaway Ill ktem-toothe-croo- k ' At the sound of the smashing, glass . flint the crook turned and with a mighty He followed, trembling, anti 0; t effort threw Elalm aside, drawing his We bent over the man. ft ,!e b revolver. As he raised It, Elaine that . every bone In his body sprang at him and frantically seized broken. and hr1 He groaned, his wrist could even attempt anything fr Utterly merciless the man brought waa dead. j the butt of the gun down with full c Aa Kennedy let himself force on Elaines head. Only her hat down the lightnbj painfully and hair saved her, but she sank unElaine seized him and, wit I conscious. t pulled him throughtly strength, Then he turned at Craig and fired dOW. pod; twice. He was quite weak now fro jism One shot grazed Craigs hat, but the blood. other struck him In the shoulder and Are you all right? she Kennedy reeled. reached the foot of they With a desperate effort he pulled in the I i,it belfry. i himself toward her and leaped forward Craig looked down at his teg it again, closing with the fellow and soiled clothes. Then, In spitd wrenching the gun from him before smarting pain of his wound 5 1 he could fire again. Yes all right!" ms Just then the man broke away and smiled, she murmur) Thank Heaven!" t fit made a dash for the door leading back the stanch to vently, trying Into the church Itself, with Kennedy blood. I after him. This time It was you savt Up he went Into the choir loft and ho cried, Elalnel" f j'ua then Into the belfry Itself. There they Involuntarily his arms sought came to sheer struggle. and he held her a moment lift, Kennedy tripped on a loose board, and deep into her wonderful eyes, i would have fallen backwards If he had Then their faces came slo not been able to recover himself just aether In their first kiss. t In time. The crook, desperate, leaped CONTUCVSru' BS (TO . ' slo-rf5- , i . hand-to-han- d |