 Chapter 6 of the Exploits of Elane The Exploits of Elane by Arthur B Reeve Chapter 6 The Vampire Kennedy went the next day to the Dodge House and as usual Perry Bennett was there in the library with Elane still going over the clutching hand case in their endeavour to track down the mysterious master criminal. Bennett seemed as deeply as ever in love with Elane, still as Jennings admitted Craig it was sufficiently evident by the manner in which Elane left Bennett and ran to meet Craig that she had the highest regard for him. I brought you a little document that may interest you remarked Kennedy reaching into his pocket and pulling out an envelope. Elane tore it open and looked at the paper within. Oh how thoughtful of you she exclaimed in surprise. It was a permit from the police made out in her name allowing her to carry 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. Elane examined the gun with interest then raising it pointed it playfully at Bennett. Oh no no exclaimed Kennedy taking her arm quickly and gently deflecting the weapon away. You mustn't think it is a toy. It explodes at a mere touch of the trigger when that safety ratchet is turned. Bennett had realised the danger and had jumped back almost mechanically. As he did so he bumped into a suit of medieval armour standing by the wall knocking it over with a resounding crash. I be pardoned he ejaculated. I'm very sorry that was very awkward of me. Jennings who had been busy about the porters at the doorway started to pick up the fall or night. Some of the pieces were broken and the three gathered about as the butler tried to fit them together again as best he could. Too bad too bad. Apologised Bennett profusely. I really forgot how close I was to the thing. Oh never mind returned Elane a little crestfallen. It is smashed all right but it was my fault. Jennings sent for someone to repair it. She turned to Kennedy but I do wish you would teach me how to use this thing she added touching the automatic gingerly. Gladly he returned. Won't you join us Mr. Bennett asked Elane. No the young lawyer smiled. I'm afraid I can't. You see I had an engagement with another client and I'm already late. He took his hat and coat and with a reluctant farewell moved toward the hallway. A moment later Elane and Craig followed. While Jennings finished restoring the armour as nearly as possible as it had been. It was late that night that a masked figure succeeded in raising itself to the narrow ornamental ledge under Elane's bedroom window. Elane was a light sleeper and besides Rusty her faithful colleague now fully recovered from the poison was in her room. Rusty growled and the sudden noise waitened her. Startled Elane 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 automatic at the figure silhouetted in her window and fired three times. The figure fell back down in the street below the assistant at the clutching hand who had waited while Taylor Dodge was electrocuted was waiting now as his confederate, Pitt Slim which indicated that he was both wary in statue and libelous in delegating his nativity made the attempt. As Slim came tumbling down having fallen back from the window above mortally wounded the confederate lifted him up and carried him out of sight hurriedly. Elane by this time had turned on the lights and had run to the window to look out. Rusty was barking loudly. In a side street nearby stood a waiting automobile at the wheel of which sat another of the emissaries at the clutching hand. The driver looked up startled as he saw his fellow hurrying around the corner carrying the wounded Pitt Slim. It was the work of just a moment to drop the wounded man as comfortably as possible under the circumstances in the rear seat while his pal started the car off with a jerk in the hurry of escape. Jennings having hastily slipped his trousers on over his pajamas came running down the hall while Marie frightened came in the other direction. Aunt Josephine appeared a few seconds later adding to the general excitement. What's the matter? she asked anxiously. A burglar I think exclaimed Elane still holding the gun in her hand. Someone tried to get into my window. My gracious cried Aunt Josephine in alarm. Where will this thing end? Elane was doing her best now to quiet the fears of her aunt and the rest of the household. Well she laughed a little nervously now that it was all over. I want you all to go to bed and stop worrying about me. Don't you see I'm perfectly able to take care of myself. Besides there isn't a chance now of the burglar coming back. Why? I shot him. Yes, put in Aunt Josephine. But Elane laughingly interrupted her and playfully made as though she were driving them out of their room. Although they were all very much concerned over the affair. However they went finally and she locked the door. Rusty she called down there. The intelligent colleague seemed to understand. He lay down by the doorway. His nose close to the bottom of the door and his ears alert. Finally Elane too retired again. Meanwhile the wounded man was being hurried to one of the hangouts at the mysterious clutching hand, an old-fashioned house in the Westchester suburbs. It was a carefully hidden place back from the main road surrounded by trees with a driveway leading up to it. The car containing the wounded pit slim drew up and the other two men looped out of it. With a hurried glance about they unlocked the front door with the pass key and entered carrying the man. Indoors was another emissary at the clutching hand, a rather studious looking chap. Why? What's the matter? He exclaimed as the crooks entered his room supporting their fainting wounded pal. Slim got a couple of pills they panted as they laid him on the couch. How? Demanded the other. Trying to get into the Dodge House Elane did it. Slim was quite evidently badly wounded and was bleeding profusely. A glance at him was enough for the studious looking chap. He went to a secret panel and pressing it down took out what was apparently a house telephone. In another part of this mysterious house was the secret room at the clutching hand himself where he hid his identity from even his most trusted followers. It was a small room lined with books on every conceivable branch of science that might aid him in containing innumerable little odds and ends of paraphernalia that might help in his nefarious criminal career. His telephone rung and he took down the receiver. Pit Slim's been wounded badly cheap was all he waited to hear. Scarcely a word he hung up the receiver then opened a table drawer and took out his masking handkerchief. Next he went to a nearby bookcase pressed another secret spring and a panel opened. He passed through the handkerchief adjusted. Across in the larger outside study another panel opened and the clutching hand all crouched up transformed appeared. Without a word he advanced to the couch on which the wounded crook lay and examined him. How did it happen? he asked at length. Miss Dodge shot him, answered the others, with an automatic. That craved Kennedy must have given it to her. He explained with a suppressed fury. For a moment the clutching hand stopped to consider then he seized the regular telephone. Dr. Morton he asked as he got the number he called. Late as it was the doctor who was a well-known surgeon in that part of the country answered apparently from an extension of his telephone near his bed. The call was urgent and apparently from a family which he did not feel that he could neglect. Yes I'll be there in a few moments he yawned hanging up the receiver and getting out of bed. Dr. Morton was a middle-aged man one of those medical men in whose judgement one instinctively lies. From the brief description of the hemorrhage which the clutching hand had cleverly made over the wire he knew that a life was at stake. Quickly he dressed and went out to his garage back of the house to get his little run about. It was only a matter of minutes before the doctor was speeding over the now deserted suburban roads apparently on his errand of mercy. At the address that had been given him he drew up to the side of the road, got out and ran up the steps to the door. A ring at the bell brought a sleepy man to the door in his trousers and night-shirt. How's the patient? asked Dr. Morton eagerly. Patient repeated the man rubbing his eyes. There's no one secure. Then what did you telephone for? Asked the doctor previously. Telephone? I didn't call up anyone. I was asleep. Slowly it dawned on the doctor that it was a false alarm and that he must be the victim of some practical joke. Well that's a great note he growled as the man shut the door. He descended the steps muttering harsh language at some unknown trickster as he climbed back into his machine and made ready to start two men seemed to rise before him as if from nowhere. As a matter of fact they had been sent there by the clutching hand and were hiding in a nearby cellar way until their chance came. One man stood on the running board on either side of him and two guns yawn menacingly at him. Drive ahead that way muttered one man seating himself in the runabout with his gun close to the doctor's ribs. The other kept his place on the running board and on they drove in the direction of the mysterious dark house. Half a mile perhaps down the road they halted and left the car beside the walk. Dr. Morton was too surprised to marvel at anything now and he realised that he was in the power of two desperate men. Quickly they blindfolded him. It seemed an intermittable walk as they led him about to confuse him but at last he could feel that they had taken him into a house and a long 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. He suppressed a shudder at the low menacing voices. A moment later he felt them remove the bandage from his eyes and blinking at the light he could see a hard-faced fellow pale and weak on a bloodstained couch. Over him bent a masked man and another man stood nearby endeavouring by improvised bandages the flow of blood. What can you do for this fellow? asked the masked man. Dr. Morton, seeing nothing else to do that 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 hands stood silent a moment thinking as he gazed at the man who had been one of his chief reliances. Then with a menacing gesture he spoke in a low, bitter tone. She who shot him shall supply the blood. A few quick directions followed till his subordinates and as he made ready to go he muttered keep the doctor here, don't let him stir from the room. Then the man who had aided him in the murder of Taylor Dodge he sellied out into the blackness that precedes dawn. 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 four 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 slump away clutching hand stealthily led himself into the house. Noiselessly he prowled through the halls until he came to Elan's doorway. He gave a hasty look up and down the hall. There was no sound. Quickly he took a syringe from his pocket and bent down by the door inserting the end under it. He squirted some liquid through which vaporized rapidly in a wide fine stream of spray. Before he could give an alarm Rusty was overcome by the noxious fumes rolled over on his back and lay still. Outside the other crook was waiting looking at his watch. As the hand slowly turned the half hour he snapped the watch shut With a quick glance up and down the deserted street he definitely started up the rain pipe that passed near Elan's window. This time there was no faithful Rusty to give warning and the second intruder after a glance at Elan still sleeping went quickly to the door dragged the insensible dog out of the way turned the key and admitted the clutching hand. As he did so he closed the door. Evidently the fumes had not reached Elan or if they had the inrush of fresh air revived her for she waked and quickly reached for the gun. In an instant the other crook had leaked at her holding his hand over her mouth to prevent her screaming he snapped the revolver away before she could fire it. In the meantime the clutching hand had taken out some chloroform and rolling a towel in the form of a cone placed it over her face. She struggled gasping and gagging but the struggles grew weaker and weaker and finally ceased altogether. When Elan was completely under the influence of the drug they lifted her out of bed the chloroform cone still over her face and quietly carried her to the door which they opened stealthfully. Downstairs they carried her until they came to the library with its news safe and there they placed her on a couch. At an early hour an express wagon stopped before the Dodge House and Jennings half dressed answered the bell. We've come for that broken suit of armour to be repaired said a workman. Jennings let the men in. The armour was still on the stand and the repairers took armour, stand and all laying it on the couch where they wrapped it in the covers they had brought for the purpose. They lifted it up and started to carry it out. Be careful cautioned the thrifty Jennings. Rusty narrow covered with barking and sniffing at the armour. Kick the mutt off growled one man the other did so and Rusty snarled and sniffed at him. Jennings took him by the collar and held him as the repairers went out loaded the armour on the wagon and drove off. Scarcely had they gone while Jennings straightened out the disarranged library when Rusty began jumping about barking furiously. Jennings looked at him in amazement as the dog ran to the window and looped out. He had no time to look after the dog though for at that very instant he heard a voice calling Jennings, Jennings. It was Marie almost speechless. He followed her as she led the way to miss Aileen's room. There Marie pointed mutely at the bed. Aileen was not there. There too were her clothes mutely folded as Marie had hung them thaw her. Something must have happened to her while Marie Jennings was now thoroughly alarmed. Meanwhile the express wagon outside was driving off with Rusty tearing after it. What's the matter? cried Aunt Josephine coming in where the footmen and the maid were arguing what was to be done. She gave one look at the bed, the clothes and the servants. Call Mr. Kennedy, she cried in alarm. Aileen is gone. No one knows how or where. Announced Craig as he looped out of bed that morning to answer the furious ringing of our telephone bell. It was very early but Craig dressed hurriedly and I followed as best I could for he had the start of me, tireless and collarless. When we arrived at the Dodge House Aunt Josephine and Marie were fully dressed. Jennings let us in. What has happened? demanded Kennedy breathlessly. While Aunt Josephine tried to tell him Craig was busy examining the room. Let us see the library he said at length. Accordingly down to the library we went Kennedy looked about. He seemed to miss something. Where is the armour? He demanded. Why? The men came for it and took it away to repair. Answered Jennings. Kennedy's brow clouded in deep thought. Outside we had left our taxi waiting. The door was open and a new footman, James, was sweeping the rug when past him flashed a dishevelled hairy streak. We were all standing there still as Craig questioned Jennings about the armour. With a yelp Rusty tore Franticline into the room. A moment he stopped and barked. We all looked at him in surprise. Then as no one moved he seemed to single out Kennedy. He seized Craig's coat in his teeth and tried to drag him out. Here Rusty down, sir. Down, called Jennings. No, Jennings, no! Interposed Craig. What's the matter, old fellow? Craig patted Rusty, whose big brown eyes seemed mutely appealing. Out of the doorway he went, barking still. Craig and I followed while the rest stood in the vestibule. Rusty was trying to lead Kennedy down the street. Wait here, called Kennedy to Aunt Josephine as he stepped with me on the running board at the cab. Go on, Rusty. Good dog! Rusty needed no urging. With an eager yelp he started off, still barking ahead of us, our car following. On we went, much to the astonishment of those who were on the street at such an early hour. It seemed miles that we went, but at last we came to a peculiarly deserted looking house. Here Rusty turned in and began scratching at the door. We jumped off the cab and followed. The door was locked when we tried, and from inside we could get no answer. We put our shoulders to it and burst it in. Rusty gave a leap forward with a joyous bark. We followed more cautiously. There were pieces of armor drawn all over the floor. Rusty sniffed at them and looked about, disappointed then howled. I looked from the armor to Kennedy in blank amazement. A name was kidnapped in the armor. He cried. He was right. Meanwhile the armor repairers had stopped at last at this apparently deserted house, a strange sort of repair shop. Still keeping it wrapped in blankets, they had taken the armor out of the wagon and now loaded down on an old broken bed. Then they had unwrapped it and taken off the helmet. There was Elaine. She had been stupefied, bound and gagged, piece after piece at the armor they removed, finding her still only half-conscious. Sh! What's that? Caution, one of the men. They paused and listened. Sure enough there was a sound outside. They opened the window cautiously. A dog was scratching on the door, endeavouring to get in. It was Rusty. I think it's her dog, said the man turning. We'd better let him in. Someone might see him. The other nodded and a moment later the door opened and in ran Rusty, straight to Elaine he went, starting to lick her hand. Right, her dog exclaimed the other man, drawing a gun and hostily levelling it at Rusty. Don't caution the first. It would make too much noise. You'd better choke him. The fellow grabbed for Rusty. Rusty was too quick. He jumped. Around the room they ran. Rusty saw the wide open window and his chance. Out he went and disappeared, leaving the man cussing at him. A moment's argument followed. Then they wrapped Elaine in the blankets alone, still bound and gagged, and carried her out. In the secret den the clutching hand was waiting, gazing now and then at his watch, and then at the wounded man before him. In a chair his first assistant sat, watching Dr. Morton. A knock at the door caused them to turn their heads. The crook opened it and in walked the other crooks, who had carried off Elaine in the suit of armour. Elaine was now almost conscious, as they sat her down in a chair and partly loosened her bones and the gag. She goes to bout, frightened. Oh, help, help! She screamed as she caught sight of the now familiar mask at the clutching hand. Call all you want here, young lady. He laughed unnaturally. No one can hear you. These wolves are soundproof. Elaine shrunk back. Now dock, he added harshly to Dr. Morton. It was she who shot him. Her blood must save him. Dr. Morton recoiled at the thought of torturing the beautiful young girl before him. Are you willing to have your blood transfused? He parlied. No, no, no! She cried in horror. Dr. Morton turned to the desperate criminal. I cannot do it. The juice, you can't. A cold steel revolver pressed down on Dr. Morton's stomach. In the other hand, the master crook held his watch. You have just one minute to make up your mind. Dr. Morton shrunk back. The revolver followed. The pressure of the fly's foot meant eternity for him. I'll try. The other crooks next carried Elaine struggling and threw her down beside the wounded man. Together they arranged another couch beside him. Dr. Morton, still covered by the gun, went 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. It was in the form of a minute hollow cylinder with two grooves on it, a cylinder so tiny that it would scarcely have slipped over the point of a pencil. At cannula he explained, as he prepared to make an incision in Elaine's arm and in the arm of the wounded rogue. He cupped it over the severed end of the artery, so cleverly that the inner linings of the vein and artery, the endothelium as it is called, were in complete contact with each other. Clutching hand watched eagerly, as though he had found some new scientific engine of death in the little hollow cylinder. A moment and the blood that was, perhaps, to save the life of the wounded felon was coursing into his veins from Elaine. A moment later Dr. Morton looked up at the clutching hand and nodded, well, it's working. At Elaine's head clutching hand himself was administering just enough ether to keep her under and prevent a struggle that would wreck all. The wounded man had not been anesthesised and seemed feebly conscious of what was being done to save him. All were now bending over the two. Dr. Morton bent closest over Elaine. He looked at her anxiously, felt her pulse, watched her breathing, then pursed up his lips. This is dangerous, he ventured, gazing a scance at the grim clutching hand. Can't help it, came back laconically and relentlessly. The doctor shuddered. The man was a veritable vampire. Outside the deserted house, Kennedy and I were looking helplessly at the out. Suddenly Kennedy dashed back and reappeared a minute later with a couple of pieces of armour. He held them down to Rusty and the dogs sniffed at them. But Rusty stood still. Kennedy pointed to the ground. Nothing doing. In leading us where he had been before, Rusty had reached the end of his canine ability. Everything we could do to make Rusty understand that we wanted him to follow a trail was unavailing. He simply could not do it. Kennedy coaxed and scolded. Rusty merely sat up on his hind legs and begged with those irresistible brown eyes. You can't make a bloodhound out of a collie, despaired Craig, looking about again helplessly. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a police whistle. He blew through sharp blasts. Would it bring help? While we were thus despairing, the continued absence of Dr Morton from home had alarmed his family and had set in motion another train of events. When he did not return and could not be located at the place to which he was supposed to have gone, several policemen had been summoned to his house and they had come, finally, with real bloodhounds from a suburban station. There were the tracks of his car that the police themselves could follow while two men came along holding in leash the pack, leaders of which were Searchlight and Bob. It had not been long before the party came across the deserted runabout beside the road. There they had stopped for a moment. It was just then that they heard Kennedy's call and one of them had been detailed to answer it. Well, what do you want? asked the officer, eyeing Kennedy suspiciously as he stood there with the armour. What's them pieces of tin, eh? Kennedy quickly flashed his own special badge. I want to trail a girl, he exclaimed hurriedly. Can I find a bloodhound about here? A hound? Why? We have a pack over there. Bring them quick, ordered Craig. The policeman, who was an intelligent fellow, saw it once that, as Kennedy said, the two trails probably crossed. He shouted, and in a few seconds the others with the pack came. A brief parley resulted in our joining forces. Kennedy held the armour down to the dogs. Searchlight gave a low whine, then followed by Bob and the others, was up, all with nose as close to the ground. We followed. The armour was, after all, the missing link. Through the woods and fields the dogs led us. Would we be in time to rescue Elaine? In the mysterious haunt of the clutching hand all were still standing around Elaine and the wounded pits slim. Just then a cry from one of the groups startled the rest. One of them less hardened than the clutching hand had turned away from the sight, had gone to the window and had been attracted by something outside. Look, he cried. From the absolute stillness of death there was now wild excitement among the crooks. Please, please! They shouted to each other as they fled by a doorway to a secret passage. Clutching hand turned to his first assistant. You go too, he ordered. The dogs had led us to a strange-looking house and were now baying and leaping up against the door. We did not stop to knock but began to break through. For inside we could hear faintly sounds of excitement and cries at please, please! The door yielded and we rushed into a long hallway. Up the passage we went until we came to another door. An instant and we were all against it. It was stout but it shook before us. The panels began to yield. On the other side of that door from us the master crook stood for a moment. Dr. Morton hesitated not knowing quite what to do. Just then the wounded pits slim lifted his hand feebly. He seemed vaguely to understand that the game was up. He touched the clutching hand. You did your best, Chief. He murmured thickly. Beat it, if you can. I'm a goner anyway. Clutching hand hesitated by the wounded crook. There was the loyalty of ganglion, worthy of better cause. He could not bring himself to desert his pal. He was undecided still. But there was the door bulging and a panel bursting. He moved over to a panel in the wall and pushed a screen. It slid open and he stepped through. Then it closed, not a second too soon. Back in his private room he quickly stepped to a curtained iron door. Pushing back the curtains he went through it and disappeared. The curtains falling back. At the end of the passageway he stopped in a sort of grotto or cave. As he came out he looked back. All was still. No one was about. He was safe here at least. Off came the mask and he turned down the road a few rods distant beyond some bushes. As little concerned about the wild happenings as any other passerby might have been. At the very moment when we burst in Dr Morton seeing his chance stopped the blood transfusion. Working frantically to stop the flow of blood. Kennedy sprung to a lone side horrified by the blood that had spattered over everything. With a mighty effort he checked a blow that he had aimed at Dr Morton. As it flashed over him that the surgeon, now free again, was doing his best to save the terribly imperiled life of Elaine. Just then the police burst through the secret panel and rushed on, leaving us alone with the unconscious scarcely breathing Elaine. From the sounds we could tell that they had come to the private room at the clutching hand. It was empty and they were none plused, not a window called one. What are those curtains? They pulled them back, disclosing an eye and door. They tried it but it was bolted on the other side. Blows had no effect. They had to give it up for the instant. A policeman now stood beside Elaine and the wounded burglar who was muttering deliriously to himself. He was pretty far gone as the policeman knelt down and tried to get a statement out of him. Who was that man who left you last, the clutching hand? Not a word came from the crook. The policeman repeated his question. With his last breath he looked distantly at the officer's pad and pencil. The gangster never squeals. He snarled as he fell back. Dr. Morton had paid no attention whatever to him but was working desperately now over Elaine, trying to bring her back to life. Is she going to die? asked Craig frantically. Every eye was riveted on Dr. Morton. She is all right, he muttered, but the man is going to die. At the sound of Craig's voice Elaine had feebly opened her eyes. Thank heaven Breathe Craig was a sigh of relief as his hand gently stroked Elaine's unnaturally cold forehead. End of Chapter 6. Chapter 7 of The Exploits of Elaine. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The Exploits of Elaine by Arthur B. Reed. Chapter 7. The Double Trap. Mindful of the sage advice that a time of peace is best employed in preparing for war, I was busily engaged in cleaning my automatic 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 wall where the day before he had installed a peculiar box about four by six inches long connected in some ways with a lens-like box of similar size above our bell and speaking tube in the hallway below. He opened it, disclosing an oblong plate of ground glass. I thought the Seismograph arrangement was not quite enough after that spring gun affair he remarked, so I had put in a sort of teleview of my own invention so that I can see down into the vestibule downstairs. Well, just look who's there. Some new fandangle periscope arrangement, I suppose. I queried, moving slowly over to it. However, one look was enough to interest me. I can express it only in slain. There, framed in the little thing, was a vision of as well a chicken as I have ever seen. I whistled under my breath. I exclaimed shamelessly. At peach, who's 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 to which she belonged. Gertie was very attractive, though frightfully overdressed. But then no one thinks anything of that now in New York. Kennedy had opened the lower door, and our fair visitor was coming upstairs. Meanwhile, he was deeply in thought before the teleview. He made up his mind quickly, however. 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. I slipped the gun into my pocket and went. Just as a knock at the door told me she was outside. Kennedy opened the door, disclosing a very excited young woman. Oh, Professor Kennedy, she cried, all in one breath, with much emotion. I'm so glad I found you in. I can't tell you. Oh, my jewels. They had been stolen, and my husband must not know of it. Help me to recover them, please. She had not paused, but had gone on in a wild, voluble explanation. Just a moment, my dear young lady, interrupted Craig, finding at last a chance to get a word in edgewise. Do you see that table and all those papers? Really, I can't 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, please, she beat. Help me. It means, oh, I can't tell you how much it means to me. She had come close to him, and laid her warm, little soft hand on his, in ardent entreaty. From my hiding place in my room, I could not help seeing that she was using every charm of her sex, and personality to lure him on, as she clung confidingly to him. Craig was very much embarrassed, and I could not help a smile at his disconfiture. Seriously, I should have hated to have been in his position. Gertie had thrown her arms about Kennedy, as if in wildest devotion. I wondered what Elaine would have thought if she had a picture of that. Oh, she begged him. Please, please, help me. 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 sunk into a chair, weeping, while Kennedy stood before her a moment in deep abstraction. Finally, he seemed to make up his mind to something. His manner toward her changed. He took a step to her side. I will help you, he said, laying his hand on her shoulder. If it is possible, I will recover your jewels. Where do you live? At Hazelhurst, she replied gratefully, Oh, Mr. Kennedy, how can I ever thank you? She seemed overcome with gratitude, and took his hand, pressed it, even kissed it. Just a minute, he added, carefully extricating his hand. I'll be ready in just a minute. Kennedy entered the room where I was listening. What's it all about, Craig? I whispered mystified. For a moment he stood thinking, apparently reconsidering what he had just done. Then his second thought seemed to approve it. This is a trap of the clutching hand-walker, he whispered, adding tensely. And we're going to walk right into it. I looked at him in amazement. But Craig, I demuted. That's Phil Hardy. Have I trailed anything but— He shook his head, and with the mere motion of his hand, brushed aside my objections as he went to a cabinet across the room. From one shelf he took out a small metal box, and from another a test tube, placing the test tube in his waistcoat pocket, and small box in his coat pocket with excessive care. Then he turned a motion to me to follow him out into the other room. I did so, stucking my dad into my pocket. Let me introduce my friend, Mr. Jameson, said Craig, presenting me to the pretty crook. The introduction quickly over, we went out to get Craig's car, which he kept at a nearby garage. That fall noon, Perry Bennett was reading up a case. In the outer office, Milton Scofield, his office boy, was industriously chewing gum and admiring his feet cocked up on the desk before him. The door to the waiting room opened, and an attractive woman of perhaps thirty, dressed in extreme mourning, entered with the 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. Milton took his feet down in deference to the lady, but sniggered openly at the boy. A fight seemed imminent. Did you wish to see Mr. Bennett? Asked the precocious Milton politely. On one hand, while on the other, he made a rye grimace. Yes, here is my part, 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 open-mouthed astonishment. Even he knew that Elaine's 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 Weeping Mary could. It was so effective that even Milton was visibly moved. He took the card in excitedly to Bennett. There's a woman outside. Says she is Mrs. Dodge, he cried. If Milton had had an X-ray 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 thought a moment. Tell that woman to state her business in writing. He thundered curtly at Milton. As the boy turned to go back to the waiting room, Weeping Mary, hearing him coming, hastily shoved the cigarette into her son's 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 cigarette. She looked at the table on which were letter paper, pens and ink. I may write here, she asked. Surely, man, replied Milton, still very much overwhelmed by her sorrow. Weeping 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 outraged dignity. Bennett did not allow him that coveted privilege. This upstart could not usurp it. He reached over and seized the boy by the arm and swung him around till he faced a sign in the corner of the wall. See, he demanded. The sign read courteously. No smoking in this office, please. Perry Bennett. Lego, my arm, snulled the son, putting the offending cigarette defiantly into his mouth. Milton coolly and deliberately reached over and, with an exaggerated politeness, swiftly and effectively removed it, dropping it on the floor and stamping defiantly on it. Son raised his fists pugnitiously, for he didn't care much for the role he was playing anyhow. Milton did the same. There was every element of a gaudy mix-up when the outer door of the office suddenly swung open and Elaine Dodge entered. Gallantly was Milton's middle name and he sprung forward to hold the door and then opened Bennett's door as he ushered in Elaine. As she passed Whippy Mary, who was still writing at the table and crying bitterly, Elaine hesitated and looked at her curiously. Even after Milton had opened Bennett's door, she could not resist another glance. Instinctively, Elaine seemed to send trouble. Bennett was still studying the black-boarded card when she greeted him. Who is that woman? she asked, still wondering about the identity of the niobi outside. At first he said nothing, but finally, seeing that she had noticed it, he handed Elaine the card reluctantly. Elaine read it with a gasp. The look of surprise that crossed her face was terrible. Before she could say anything, however, Milton had returned with the sheet of paper on which Whippy Mary had written and handed it to Bennett. Bennett read it with uncontrolled astonishment. What is it? demanded Elaine. He handed it to her and she read. As the lawful wife and widow of Taylor Dodge, I demand my son's rights and my own. Mrs. Taylor Dodge. Elaine gasped at it. She, my father's wife, she exclaimed. What a quandary! What does she mean? Bennett hesitated. Tell me, Elaine cried. Is there, can there be anything in it? No, no, there isn't. Bennett spoke in a low tone. I have heard a whisper of some scandal or other connected with your father, but he paused. Elaine was first shocked, then indignant. Why, such a thing is absurd. Show the woman in. No, please, Mrs. Dodge, let me deal with her. By this time, Elaine was furious. Yes, I will see her. She pressed the button on Bennett's desk and Milton responded. Milton showed the woman in, she ordered, and that boy, too. As Milton turned to Crookie's finger at Whippy Mary, she nodded surreptitiously and dug her fingers sharply into son's ribs. Yell, you little fool, yell, she whispered. Obedient to his mother's commands and much to Milton's disgust, the boy started to cry in close imitation of his elder. Elaine was still holding the paper in her hands when they entered. What does all this mean? She demanded. Whippy Mary, between sobs, managed to blurt out. You are Miss Elaine Dodge, aren't you? Well, it means that your father married me when I was only seventeen, and this boy is his son, your half-brother. No, never cried Elaine vehemently, unable to restrain her disgust. He never married again. He was too devoted to the memory of my mother. Whippy Mary smiled cynically. Come with me, and I will show you the church records and the minister whom married us. You will, repeated Elaine defiantly. Well, I'll just do as you ask. Mr. Bennett shall go with me. No, no, Miss Dodge, don't go. Leave the matter to me, urged Bennett. I will take care of her. Besides, I must be in court in twenty minutes. Elaine paused, but she was thoroughly aroused. Then I will go with her myself, she cried defiantly. In spite of every objection that Bennett made, Whippy Mary, her son, and Elaine went out to call a taxi cab to take them to the railroad station, where they could catch a train to the little town where the woman asserted she had been married. Meanwhile, before a little country church in the town, a closed automobile had drawn up. As the door opened, a figure, humped up and masked, alighted. It was the clutching hand. The car had scarcely pulled away when he gave a long wrap, followed by two short taps at the door of the vestry, a secret code evidently. Inside the vestry room, a well-dressed man, but with a very sinister face, heard the knock, and a second later opened the door. What? Not ready yet? Grailed the clutching hand. Quick, now! Get on those clothes. I heard the train whistle as I came in the car. In which closet does the minister keep them? The crook, without a word, went to a closet and took out a suit of clothes, of ministerial cut. Then he hastily put them on, adding some side whiskers, which he had brought with him. At about the same time, Elaine, accompanied by Weepie Mary and her son, had arrived at the little tumble-down station and had taken the only vehicle inside, a very ancient carriage. It ambled along until, at last, it pulled up before the vestry room door of the church, just as the bogus minister was finishing his transformation from a frank crook. Clutching hand was giving him final instructions. Elaine and the others alighted and approached the church, while the ancient vehicle rattled away. There come and whispered the crook, peering cautiously out of the window. Clutching hand moved silently and snake-like into the closet and shut the door. How do you do, Dr. Carton, greeted Weepie Mary? I guess you don't remember me. The clerical gentleman looked at her fixedly a moment. Remember you, he repeated. Of course, my dear, I remember everyone I married. And you remember to whom you married me? Perfectly, to an older man, a tailor-dodge. Elaine was overcome. Won't you step in? He asked wildly. Your friend here doesn't seem well. They all entered. And you? Do you say you married this woman to tailor-dodge? Quirried Elaine tensely. The bogus minister seemed to be very farvelly. Yes, he ascended. I certainly did so. Have you the record? Asked Elaine, fighting to the last. Why, yes, I can show you the record. He moved over to the closet. Come over here, he asked. He opened the door. Elaine screamed and drew back. There stood her arced enemy, the clutching hand himself. As he stepped forth, she turned wildly to run, anyway. But strong arms seized her and forced her into a chair. She looked at the woman and the minister. It was a plot. A moment clutching hand looked Elaine over. Put the others out, he ordered the other crook. Quickly the man obeyed, leading Weepie Mary and her son to the door, and waving them away as he locked it. They leapt quite as much in the dark about the master criminal's identity as Elaine. Now my pretty dear began the clutching hand as the lock turned in the vestry door. We shall be joined 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. Cutching 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 prosperous, attractive looking house, and entered a very prettily furnished but small parlour. Heavy porters hung over the doorway into the hall, over another, into a back room, and over the bay windows. Won't you sit down a moment, Coke's dirty. I'm quite blown to pieces after that right. My, how you drive! As she pulled aside the hall porters, three men with guns thrust their hands out. I turned, two others had stepped from the back room and two more from the bay window. We were surrounded. Seven guns were aimed at us with deadly precision. No, no, Walter, it's no use. Shouted Kennedy, calmly restraining my hand, which I had clapped on my own gun. At the same time, with his other hand, he took from his pocket the small can, which I had seen in place there, and held it aloft. Gentlemen, he said quietly, I suspected some such thing. I have here a small box of fulminate of mercury. If I drop it, this building and the entire vicinity will be blown to atoms. Go ahead, shoot, he added nonchalantly. The seven of them drew back rather hurriedly. Kennedy was a dangerous prisoner. He calmly sat down in an armchair, leaning back as he carefully balanced the deadly little box of fulminate of mercury on his knee. He placed his fingertips together and smiled at the seven crooks who had gathered together, staring breathlessly at this man who toyed with death. Gertie ran from the room. For a moment they looked at each other, undecided. Then one by one they stepped away from Kennedy toward the door. The leader was the last to go. He had scarcely taken a step. Stop, ordered Kennedy. The crook did so. As Crave moved toward him, he waited, cold sweat breaking out on his face. Say, he whined, you let me be. He was ineffectual. Kennedy, still smiling confidently, came closer, still holding the deadly little box balanced between two fingers. He took the crook's gun and dropped it into his pocket. Sit down, ordered Crave. Outside the other six parlayed in horse whispers. One raised a gun, but the woman and the others restrained him and fled. Take me to your master, demanded Kennedy. The crook remained silent. Where is he? Repeated Crave. Tell me. Still the man remained silent. Crave looked the fellow over again. Then, still with that confident smile, he reached into his inside pocket and drew forth the tube I had seen him place there. No matter how much you accuse me, added Crave casually. No one will ever take the word of a crook that a reputable scientist like me would do what I am about to do. He had taken out his pen knife and opened it. Then he beckoned to me. Bear his arm and hold his wrist, Walter, he said. Crave bent down with the knife and the tube. Then paused a moment and turned the tube so that we could see it. On the label were the ominous words, firm culture, 6248A, Bacchulis, La Prae, leprosy. calmly took the knife and proceeded to make an incision in the man's arm. The crook's feelings underwent a terrific struggle. No, no, no, don't, he implored. I will take you to the clutching hand, even if it kills me. He stepped back, replacing the tube in his pocket. Very well, go ahead, he agreed. We followed the crook, Crave still holding the deadly box of fulminate of mercury, carefully balanced, so that if anyone shot him from a hiding place, it would drop. No sooner had we gone than Gertie hurried to the nearest telephone to inform the clutching hand of our escape. Elaine had sunk back into the chair as the telephone rang. Clutching hand answered it. A moment later, in uncontrollable fury, he hurled the instrument to the floor. Here, we've got to act quick, that devil has escaped again. He hissed. We must get her away. You keep her here. I'll be back right away with the car. He dashed madly from the church, pulling off his mask as he gamed the street. Kennedy had forced the crook ahead of us into the car, which was waiting, and I followed, taking the wheel this time. Which way, now, quick, demanded Crave. And if you get me in wrong, I've 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 R. R. Bridge, leaving trolley tracks at cemetery turn left, stopping at the Old Stone Church. Is this it? Ask Crave 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. Don't take your eyes off the fellow. Keep him covered. Crave 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-looking man in clerical garb, which to Crave's trained eye was quite evidently at disguise. Elaine happened just then to glance at the window, and her eyes grew wide with astonishment at the sight of Crave. He made a hasty motion to her to make a dash for the door. She nodded quietly. With a glance at her guardian, she suddenly made a rush. He was at her in a moment, pouncing on her cat-like. Kennedy had seized an iron bar that lay beside the window where some workmen had been repairing the stone pavement, and, with a blow, shattered the glass and the sash. At the sound of the smashing glass, the crook turned and, with a mighty effort, threw Elaine aside, drawing his revolver. As he raised it, Elaine sprung at him and frantically seized his wrist. Utterly merciless, the man brought the butt of the gun down with full force on Elaine's head. Only her hat and her hair saved her, but she sunk unconscious. Then he turned to Crave and fired twice. One shot grazed Crave's hat, but the other struck him in the shoulder, and Kennedy reeled. With a desperate effort, he pulled himself together and leaped forward again, closing with the fellow and wrenching the gun from him before he could fire again. It fell to the floor with a claim. Just then, the man broke away and made a dash of the door leading back into the church itself, with Kennedy after him. At the foot of the flight of stairs, he turned long enough to pick up a chair. As Kennedy came on, he deliberately smashed it over Crave's head. Kennedy warded off the blow as best he could, then, still undaunted, started up the stairs after the fellow. Up they went into the choir loft and then into the belfry itself. There they came to sheer hand-to-hand struggle. Kennedy tripped on a loose board and would have fallen backwards if he had not been able to recover himself just in time. The crook, desperate, leaped for the ladder, leading further up into the steeple. Kennedy followed. Elaine had recovered consciousness almost immediately and hearing the commotion, stirred and started to rise and look about. From the church, she could hear sounds of the struggle. She paused just long enough to seize the crook's revolver lying on the floor. She hurried into the church and up into the belfry, thence up the ladder, whence the sounds came. The crook, by this time, had gained the outside of the steeple through an opening. Kennedy was in close pursuit. On the top of the steeple was a great gilded cross, considerably larger than a man. As the crook clampered outside, he scaled the steeple, using a lightning rod and some predicting points to pull himself up desperately. Kennedy followed, unhesitatingly. There they were, struggling in deadly combat, clinging to the gilded cross. The first I knew of it was a horrified gas from my own crook. I looked up carefully, fearing it was a stall to get me off my guard. There were Kennedy and the other crook struggling, swaying back and forth between life and death. I looked at my man. What should I do? Should I leave him and go to Craig? If I did, might he not pick us both off from a safe vantage point by some sharp shooting skill? There was nothing I could do. Kennedy was clinging to a lightning rod on the cross. It broke. I gasped, as Craig reeled back, that he managed to catch hold of the rod further down and cling to it. The crook seemed to result diabolically. Holding with both hands to the cross, he let himself out to his full length and stamped on Kennedy's fingers, trying every way to dislodge him. It was all Kennedy could do to keep his hold. I cried out in agony at the sight that he had dislodged one of Craig's hands. The other could not hold on much longer. He was about to fall. Just then I saw a face at the little window opening out from the ladder to the outside of the steeple, a woman's face, tense with horror. It was Elaine. Quickly a hand followed and in it was a revolver. Just as the crook was about to dislodge Kennedy's other hand, I saw a flash and a puffer smoke and a second later heard a report and another and another. Horrors. The crook who had taken refuge seemed to stagger back, wildly taking a couple of steps in the thin air. Kennedy regained his hold. With a sickening thud, the body of the crook landed on the ground around the corner of the church from me. Come, you, I ground out, covering my own crook with the pistol and if you attempt a getaway, I'll kill you too. He followed, trembling, unnerved. We bent over the man. It seemed that every bone in his body must be broken. He groaned and before I could even attempt anything for him, he was dead. As Kennedy let himself slowly and painfully down the lightning rod, Elaine seized him and, with all their strength, pulled him in through the window. He was quite weak now from loss of blood. Are you all right? She gasped as they reached the foot of the ladder in the belfry. Craves looked down at his torn and soiled clothes. Then, in spite of the smarting pain at his wounds, he smiled. Yes, all right. Thank heaven, she murmured fervently, trying to staunch the flow of blood. Crave gazed at her regularly. The great look at relief in her face seemed to take away all the pain from his own face. In its place came a look of wonder and hope. He could not resist. This time, it was you, save me. He cried, Elaine. Involuntarily, his arms sought hers and he held her a moment, looking deep into her wonderful eyes. Then their faces came slowly together in their first kiss. End of Chapter 7 Chapter 8 of the Exploits of Elaine This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The Exploits of Elaine by Arthur B. Reeve Chapter 8 The Hidden Voice Jameson, wake up. The strain at the Dodge case was beginning to tell on me, for it was keeping us at work at all kinds of hours to circumvent the clutching hand, by far the cleverest criminal with whom Kennedy had ever had anything to do. I had slept later than usual that morning and in a half-dose I heard a voice calling me, strangely like Kennedy's and yet unlike it. I leaped out of bed, stilling my pyjamas and stood for a moment, staring about. Then I ran into the living room. I looked about, rubbing my eyes, startled. No one was there. Hey, Jameson, wake up. It was spooky. I ran back into Craig's room. He was gone. There was no one in any of our rooms. The surprise had now thoroughly awakened me. Where the juice are you? I demanded. Suddenly I heard the voice again. No doubt about it either. Here I am, over on the couch. I scratched my head puzzled. There was certainly no one on that couch. A laugh greeted me. Plainly though, it came from the couch. I went over to it and, ridiculous as it seemed, began to throw aside the pillows. There lay nothing but a little oblong, open box, perhaps eight or ten inches long and three or four inches square at the ends. In the face were two peculiar square holes from the top projected at black disc about the size of a watch fastened on a swinging metal arm. In the face of the disc were several perforated holes. I picked up the strange looking thing in Wonder and from that magic oak box actually came a burst of laughter. Come over to the laboratory right away, peeled forth a merry voice. I've something to show you. Well, I gasped. What do you know about that? Very early that morning Craig had got up, leaving me snoring. Cases never worried him. He thrived on excitement. He had gone over to the laboratory and set to work in a corner over another of those peculiar boxes exactly like that which he had already left in our rooms. In the face of each of these boxes as I have said, were two square holes. The sides of these holes converged inward into the box in the manner of a four sided pyramid ending at the apex in a little circle of black perhaps half an inch across. Satisfied at last with his work Craig had stood back from the weird apparatus and shouted my name. He had enjoyed my surprise to the fullest extent then had asked me to join him. Half an hour afterward I walked into the laboratory feeling a little sheepish over the practical joke but none the less curious to find out all about it. What is it? I asked indicating the apparatus. A vocophone he replied still laughing. The loud speaking telephone the little box that hears and talks it talks right out in meeting to no transmitter to hold to the mouth no receiver to hold to the ear. You see this transmitter is so sensitive that it picks up even a whisper and the receiver is placed back at those two megaphone like pyramids. He was standing at a table carefully packing up one of the vocophones and a lot of wire. I believe the clutching hand has been shadowing the Dodge house. He continued thoughtfully. As long as we watch the place too he will do nothing but if we should seem ostentatiously not to be watching perhaps he may try something and we may be able to get a clue to his identity over this vocophone. See? I nodded we've got to running down somehow I agreed. Yes he said taking his coat and hat I am going to connect up one of these things in Miss Dodger's library and arrange with the telephone company for a clear wire so that we can listen in here where that fellow will never suspect. At about the same time that Craig and I sailed forth on his new mission Elaine was arranging some flowers on a stand near the corner of the Dodge library where the secret panel was in which her father had hidden the papers for the possession of which the clutching hand had murdered him. They did not disclose his identity we knew but they did give directions to at least one of his hangouts and were therefore very important. She had moved away from the table but as she did so her dress caught in something in the woodwork she tried to loosen it and in so doing touched the little metallic spring on which her dress had caught instantly to her utter surprise the panel moved it slid open disclosing a strong box Elaine took it amazed looked at it a moment then carried it to a table and started to pry it open it was one of those tin dispatch boxes which as far as I have ever been able to determine are chiefly valuable for allowing one to place a lot of stuff in a receptacle which is very convenient for a criminal she had no trouble in opening it inside were some papers sealed in an envelope and marked limpy red correspondence they must be the clutching handpapers she exclaimed to herself hesitating a moment in doubt what to do the fatal documents seemed almost uncanny their very presence frightened her what should she do she seized the telephone and eagerly called Kennedy's number hello answered a voice is that you Craig she asked excitedly is Mr. Jameson oh Mr. Jameson I've discovered the clutching handpapers she begun more and more excited have you read them came back the voice quickly no shall I then don't unseal them caution the voice put them back exactly as you found them and I'll tell Mr. Kennedy the moment I can get hold of him alright do that and please get him as soon as you possibly can I will I'm going out shopping now she returned suddenly but tell him I'll be back right away very well hanging up the receiver he loaned dutifully replaced the papers in the box and returned the box to its secret hiding place pressing the spring and sliding the panel shut few minutes later she left the house in the dodged car outside our laboratory leaning up against a railing Dan the dude an emissary of the clutching hand whose dress now greatly bellied his underworld moniker had been shadowing us watching to see when we left the moment we disappeared he raised his hand carefully above his head with the sign of the clutching hand far down the street in a closed car the clutching hand himself his face masked gave an answering sign a moment later he left the car gazing about stealthily not a soul was in sight and he managed to make his way to the door of our laboratory without being observed then he opened it which he must have obtained in some way by working the janitor or the university officials probably he thought that the papers might be at the laboratory that he had repeatedly failed to locate them at the dodged house at any rate he was busily engaged in ransacking drawers and cabinets in the laboratory when the telephone suddenly rung he did not want to answer it but if it kept on ringing someone outside might come in an instant he hesitated then disguising his voice as much as he could to imitate mine he took off the receiver hello he answered his face was a study in all that was dark as he realised that it was a lane calling he clenched his crooked hand even more viciously have you read them he asked curbing his impatience as she unexpectedly poured forth her story supposedly to me then don't unseal them he hastened to reply put them back then there can be no question about them you can open them before witnesses for a moment he paused then added put them back until no one at their discovery I will tell Mr Kennedy I can get him a smile spread over his sinister face as Elaine confided in him her intention to go shopping a rather expensive expedition for you young lady he muttered to himself as he returned the receiver to the hook clutching hand lost no further time at the laboratory he had thus luckily for him found out what he wanted the papers were not there after all but at the Dodge house suppose she should really be gone on only a short shopping trip and should return to find that she had been filled over the wire quickly he went to the telephone again hello Dan he called when he got his number Miss Dodge is going shopping I want you and the other falses to follow her delay her all you can use your own judgment it was what had come to be known in his organization as the brotherhood of falses there in the back room of a low dive were Dan the dude the emissary who had been laughtering about the laboratory a gunman a couple of women one known as Kitty the Hawk and a boy of eight or ten before them stood large schooners of beer while the precocious youngster grumbled over milk all right cheap shouted back Dan their leader as he hung up the telephone after noting carefully the hasty instructions we'll do it, trust us the others knowing that a job was to lighten the monotony of existence gathered about him they listened intently as he detailed to them the orders of the clutching hand hastily planning out the campaign like a division commander disposing his forces in battle and assigning each his part with a liquidity the brotherhood went their separate ways Elaine had not been gone long from the house when Craig and I arrived there she had followed the telephone instructions of the clutching hand and had told no one too bad greeted Jennings that Miss Elaine has just gone shopping and I don't know when she'll be back shopping being an uncertain element as far as time was concerned Kennedy asked if anyone else was at home Mrs Dodge is in the library reading sir replied Jennings taking it for granted that we would see her Aunt Josephine greeted us quarterly and Craig sat down the vocophone package he was carrying she nodded to Jennings to leave us and he withdrew I'm not going to let anything happen here to Miss Elaine again if I can help it remark Craig in a low to a moment later gazing about the library what are you thinking of doing asked Aunt Josephine Keenley I'm going to put in a vocophone he returned unwrapping it what's that she asked allowed speaking telephone connected with my laboratory he explained repeating what he had already told me well she listened almost all struck at the latest scientific wonder he was looking about trying to figure out to square it could be placed to best advantage when he approached the suit of armor I see you have brought it back and had it repaired he remarked to Aunt Josephine suddenly his face lightened up ah an idea he exclaimed no one will ever think to look inside that it was indeed an inspiration Kennedy worked quickly now placing the little box inside the breastplate at the ancient armourer with the top at the instrument projecting right up into the helmet it was a strange combination the medieval and the ultra modern now Mrs. Dodge he said finally as he had completed installing the thing and hiding the wire under carpets and ropes until it ran out to the connection which he had made with the telephone don't breathe a word of it to anyone we don't know who to trust or suspect I shall not she answered by this time thoroughly educated in the value of silence Kennedy looked at his watch I've got an engagement with the telephone company now he said rather briskly although I knew that if Elaine had been there the company and everything could have gone home for the present not to have seen Miss Elaine he added as we bowed ourselves out but I think we've got her protected now I hope so sighed her aunt Elaine's car had stopped finally at a shop on Fifth Avenue she stepped out and entered leaving her chauffeur to wait as she did so Dan and Billy sidled along the crowded sidewalk there she is Billy pointed out Dan as Elaine disappeared through the swinging doors of the shop now you wait right here he instructed stealthily and when she comes out you know what to do only be careful Dan the dude left Billy and Billy surreptitiously drew from under his coat a dirty half loaf of bread with a glance about he dropped it into the gutter close to the entrance to Elaine's car then he withdrew a little distance when Elaine came out and approached her car Billy looking as cold and fall on as could be shot forward pretending to spy the dirty piece of bread in the gutter he made a dive for it just as Elaine was about to step into the car Elaine's surprised drew back Billy picked up the piece of bread and with all the actions of having discovered a treasure began to gnaw at it voraciously shocked at the disgusting sight she tried to take the bread away from him I know it's dirty mist whimpered Billy but it's the first food I've seen for four days instantly Elaine was full of sympathy she had taken the food away that would not suffice what's your name little boy she asked Billy he replied blubbering where do you live with me mother and father they're sick nothing to eat he was whimpering and addressed far over on the side get into the car Elaine directed gee but this is swell he cried with no fake this time on they went through the tenement canyons dodging children and push carts stopping first at a grosses then at a butchers and a duller contestant finally the car stopped where Billy directed Billy hobbled out followed by Elaine and her chauffeur his arms piled high with provisions she was indeed a lovely lady bountiful as a crowd of kids quickly surrounded the car in the meantime dago mike and kitty the hawk had gone to a wretched flat before which Billy stopped kitty sat on the bed putting dark circles under her eyes with a blackened cork she was very thin and emaciated but it was a dissipation that had done it dago mike was correspondingly poorly dressed he had paused beside the window to look out she's coming he announced finally kitty hastily jumped into the rickety bed while mike took up a crutch that was standing idly in a corner she coughed residedly and he limped about four lawn they had assumed their parts which were almost to the burlesque of poverty when the door was pushed open and Billy burst in followed by elaine and the chauffeur oh ma oh pa he cried running forward and kissing his suede appearance as elaine overcome with sympathy directed the chauffeur to lay the things on a shaky table god bless you lady for a benevolent angel muttered the pair as elaine responded by moving over to the wretched bed and bending down to stroke the forehead of the sixth woman billy and mike exchanged a sly wink just then the door opened again all were genuinely surprised this time for a prince, spikens fan middle-aged woman entered I have missed statistics of the organised charities looking around sharply I saw your car standing outside miss and the children below told me you were up here I came up to see whether you were aiding really deserving poor she later marked emphasis on the word pursing up her lips there was no mistaking the apprehension that these fine birds of prey had of her either missed statistics took a step forward looking in a very superior manner from elaine to the packages of food and men at these prized members of the brotherhood she snorted contemptuously why what's the matter asked elaine fidgeting uncomfortably as if she were herself guilty in the icy atmosphere that now seem to envelope all things this man is a gunman that woman is a bad woman the boy is billy the bread snatcher she answered precisely drawing out a card on which to record something and you miss are a fool yeah, snail for two precious falses, get out of here there was no combating missed statistics she overwhelmed all arguments by the very exactness of her personality you get out, she countered kitty and mike accompanied by billy sneaked out elaine now very much embarrassed looked about wondering at the rapid fire change missed statistics smiled pittingly such innocence she murmured sadly shaking her head as she lead elaine to the door don't you know better than to try to help me without investigating elaine departed speechless, properly squelched, followed by her chauffeur meanwhile a closed car such as had stood across from the laboratory had drawn up not far from the dodge house, near it was a man in rather shabby clothes and a visor cap on which were the words in dull gold glittering metropolitan window cleaning coat, he carried a bucket and a small extension ladder, in the dark and recesses at the car was the clutching hand himself masked as usual he had his watch in his hand and was giving most minute instructions to the window cleaner about something as the latter turned to go a sharp observer would have noted that it was Dan the dude still further disguised a few moments later Dan appeared at the servants entrance at the dodge house and rung the bell Jennings who happened to be down there came to the door man to clean the windows saluted the bogus cleaner touching his hat in a way quietly to call attention to the words on it drawing from his pocket a faked written order all right, noted Jennings examining the order and finding it apparently all right Dan followed him in taking the ladder and buckered upstairs where Aunt Josephine was still reading the man to clean the windows man apologised Jennings very well, she nodded taking up her book to go then recalling the frequent injunctions of Kennedy she paused long enough to speak quietly to Jennings stay here and watching she whispered as she went out Jennings nodded while Dan opened the window and set to work Elaine had scarcely started again in her car down the crowded narrow street from her position she could not possibly have seen Johnny another of the brotherhood watching her eagerly up the street but as her car approached Johnny with great determination pulled himself together and ran forward across the street she saw that oh, she screamed her heart almost stopping he had fallen directly in front of the wheels of the car apparently although the chauffeur stopped with a jolt it seemed that the boy had been run over they jumped out there he was, sure enough under the very wheels people came running now in all directions and lifted him up, groaning piteously he seemed literally twisted into a knot which looked as if every bone in his body was broken or dislocated Elaine was overcome for following their natural instincts the crowd began pushing in with cries of Lynch the driver it would have gone hard with him too if she had not interfered here cried Elaine stepping in it wasn't his fault the boy ran across the street right in front of the car now we're just going to rush this boy to the hospital right away she lifted Johnny gently into the car herself and they drove off to a very vigorous blowing of the horn a few moments later they pulled up before the ambulance entrance to the hospital quick beckoned Elaine to the attendants who ran out and carried Johnny still a complicated knot of broken bones inside in the reception room were a couple of nurses and a young medical student when Johnny was carried in and laid on the bed the student more interested in Elaine than the boy examined him his face wore a puzzled look and there was every reason to believe that Johnny was seriously injured at that moment the door opened and an elderly grey bearded house physician entered the other stepped back from the bed respectfully he advanced and examined Johnny the doctor looked at the boy a moment then at Elaine I will now effect a miraculous cure by the laying on of hands he announced adding quickly and a feet to the utter surprise of all he seized the boy by the coat collar lifting him up and actually bouncing him on the floor then he picked him up shook him and ran him out of the room delivering the last kick as he went through the door by the way Johnny went it was quite evident that he was no more injured than the chauffeur Elaine did not know whether to be angry or to laugh but finally joined in the general life that was double joined Johnny puffed the doctor as he returned to them one of the greatest accident fakers in the city Elaine having had two unfortunate experiences during the day now decided to go home and the doctor politely escorted her to her car from his closed car the clutching hand gazed intently at the Dodge house he could see Dan on the ladder washing the library window he's back toward him Dan turned slowly and made the sign of the hand turning to his chauffeur the master criminal spoke a few words in a low tone and the driver hurried up a few minutes later the driver might have been seen entering a nearby drugstore and going into the telephone booth without a moment's hesitation pulled up the Dodge house and Marie, Elaine's maid answered is Jennings there? he asked telling a friend wants to speak to him wait a minute she answered I'll get him Marie went toward the library leaving the telephone off the hook Dan was washing the windows half inside half outside the house the driver was trying to be very busy although it was apparent that he was watching Dan closely a friend of yours wants to speak to you over the telephone Jennings said Marie as she came into the library the butler responded slowly with a covered glance at Dan no sooner had they gone however then Dan climbed all the way into the room to the door and looked after them then he ran to the window across and down the street the clutching hand was gazing at the house he had seen Dan disappear and suspected that the time had come sure enough there was the sign of the hand he hastily got out of the car and hurried up the street at this time the chauffeur was keeping Jennings busy over the telephone with some trumped up story as the master criminal came in by the ladder through the open window Dan was on guard listening down the hallway a signal from Dan and clutching hand slid back at the portiers Jennings was returning I finished these windows announced Dan as the butler reappeared in the hall windows Jennings followed like a shadow taking the bucket no sooner had they gone then clutching hand stealthily came from behind the portiers one of the maids was sweeping in the hall as Dan went toward the window about to wash it I wonder whether I locked these windows muttered Jennings pausing in the hallway I'd better make sure he had taken only a step toward the library again when Dan watchfully caught sight of him it would never do to have Jennings snooping around there now quick action was necessary Dan knocked over a costly severer vase there comesy see what you've done berated Jennings starting to pick up the pieces Dan had acted his part well unpromptly in the library clutching hand was busily engaged at that moment beside the secret panel searching for the spring that released it he ran his finger along the woodwork pausing here and there without succeeding couldn't found it he muttered searching feverishly Kennedy having made the arrangements with the telephone company by which he had a clear wire from the dodge house to his laboratory had rejoined me there and was putting on the finishing touches to his installation of the vocophone every now and then he would switch it on and we would listen in as he demonstrated the wonderful little instrument to me he had heard the window cleaner and Jennings but thought nothing of it at the time once however Craig paused and I saw him listening more intently than usual they've gone out he muttered but surely there is someone in the dodge library I listened too the thing was so sensitive that even a whisper could be magnified and I certainly did hear something Kennedy frowned what was that scratching noise could it be Jennings just then we could distinguish a sound as though someone had moved about no that's not Jennings cried Craig he went out he looked at me a moment the same stealthy noise was repeated it's the clutching hand he exclaimed excitedly a moment later Dan hurried into the dodge library the heavens safe chief hurry he whispered hoarsely the falses must have fallen down the girl herself is coming Dan himself had no time to waste he retreated into the hallway just as Jennings was opening the door for Elaine Marie took her wraps and left her while Elaine handed her numerous packages to Jennings Dan watched every motion put them away Jennings said softly Jennings had obeyed and gone upstairs Elaine moved toward the library Dan took a quiet step or two behind her in the same direction in the library clutching hand was now frantically searching for the spring he heard Elaine coming and dodged behind the curtains again just as she entered with a hasty look about no one then she went quickly to the panel found the spring and pressed it so many queer things had happened to her since she went out that she had begun to worry over the safety of the papers the panel opened they were there all right she opened the box and took them out hesitating to break the seal before Kennedy arrived stealthy and tiger like the clutching hand crept up behind her as he did so Dan gazed in through the portiers from the hall with the spring clutching hand leaked at Elaine snatching at the papers Elaine clung to them tenaciously in spite of the surprise and they struggled for them clutching hand holding one hand over her mouth to prevent her screaming instantly Dan was there aiding his chief choco strangled her don't let her scream he ground out they fought viciously would they succeed it was two desperate unscrupulous men against one frail girl suddenly from the man in armor in the corner as if by a miracle came a deep loud voice help help murder please they are strangling me the effect was terrific clutching hand and Dan hardened in crime as they were fell back dazed overcome for the moment at the startling effect they looked about not a soul then to their utter consternation from the visor of the helmet again came the deep vibrating mourning help murder please Kennedy and I had been listening over the vocophone for the moment non-plussed at the fellow's daring then we heard from the uncanny instrument for heaven's sake chief hurry the falses have fallen down the girl herself is coming what it meant we did not know the crave was almost beside himself as he ordered me to try to get the police by telephone if there was any way to block them only instant action would count however what to do he could hear the master criminal plainly thumbling now yes that's the clutching hand he repeated wait I cautioned someone else is coming by a sort of instinct he seemed to recognize the sounds anyway he exclaimed pailing instantly followed in less time than I can tell it the sounds of a suppressed scuffle he has seized her, gagged her I cried in an agony of suspense we could now hear everything that was going on in the library crave was wildly excited as for me I was speechless here was the vocophone we had installed it had warned us but what could we do I looked blankly at Kennedy he was equal to the emergency he calmly turned to switch then at the top of his lungs he shouted help help police they are strangling me I looked at him in amazement what did he think he could do blocks away it worked both ways he muttered help murder we could hear the astounded cursing of the two men also down the hall now we could hear footsteps approaching in answer to his call for help Aunt Josephine, Jennings Marie and others all shouting out that there were cries in the library the juice what is it muttered a gruff voice the man in armour his clutching hand here they come too cheap there was a parting scuffle there take that a loud metallic ringing came from the vocophone then silence what had happened in the library recovered from their first shock of surprise Dan cried out to the clutching hand the juice what is it then looking about clutching hand quickly took in the situation the man in armour he pointed out Dan was almost dead with fright at the weird thing here they come too cheap he gasped as down the hall he could hear the family shouting out that someone was in the library with a parting thrust clutching hand sent Elaine really she held on to only a corner of the papers he had the greater part of them they were torn and destroyed anyway finally with all the venomousness of which he was capable clutching hand rushed at the armour suit drew back his gloved fist and let it shoot out squeally in a vicious solar plexus blow there take that he ruled the suit rattled furiously out of its filled the vocophone with a bang on the floor an instant later those in the hall rushed in but the clutching hand and Dan were gone out of the window the criminal carrying the greater part of the precious papers some ran to Elaine others to the window the ladder had been kicked away and the criminals were gone leaping into the waiting car they had been whisked away hello hello hello called a voice apparently from nowhere what is that? cried Elaine still blankly wondering she had risen by this time Anne was gazing about wondering at the strange voice suddenly her eyes fell on the armour scattered all over the floor she spied the little oak box Elaine apparently the voice came from that besides it had a familiar ring to her ears yes Craig she cried this is my vocophone the little box that hears and talks came back to her are you alright? yes alright thanks to the vocophone she had understood in an instant she seized the helmet and breastplate to which the vocophone still was attached and was holding them close to herself Kennedy had been calling and listening intently over the machine wondering whether it had been put out a business in some way it works yet he cried excitedly to me Elaine yes Craig came back over the faithful little instrument are you alright? yes alright thank heaven breathe Craig pushing me aside literally he kissed that vocophone as if it had been human end of chapter 8