 Chapter 4 of the Exploits of Elane Kennedy swung open the door of their taxi cab as we pulled up, safe at last before the dodge mansion after the rescue of Elane from the brutal machinations of the clutching hand. Bennett was on the step of the cab in a moment and, together, one on each side of Elane, they assisted her out of the car and up the steps to the house. As they mounted the steps, Kennedy called back to me, pay the driver, Walter, please. It was the first time I had thought of that. As it happened, I had quite a bankroll with me and, in my hurry, I peeled off a ten-dollar bill and tossed it to the fellow, intending to be generous and telling him to keep the change. So, he exclaimed, pointing to the clock, come across twenty-three sixty. Protesting, I've peeled off some more bills. Having satisfied this veritable anaconda and gorged his dilating appetite for banknotes, I turned to follow the others. Jennings had opened the door immediately. Whether it was that he retained a grudge against me or whether he did not see me, he would have closed it before I could get up there. I called and took the steps two at a time. Elane's Aunt Josephine was waiting for us in the drawing room, very much worried. The dear old lady was quite scandalised as Elane excitedly told of the thrilling events that had just taken place. And to think they actually carried you, she exclaimed, horrified, adding, and I not. But Mr. Kennedy came along and saved me just in time, interrupted Elane with a smile. I was well chaperoned. Aunt Josephine turned to cry gratefully. How can I ever thank you enough, Mr. Kennedy? She said fervently. Kennedy was quite embarrassed. With a smile, Elane perceived his disconfiture. Not at all displeased by it. Coming to the library, she cried gaily, taking his arm. I've something to show you. Where the old safe, which had been burned through, had stood, was now a brand new safe of the very latest construction and design, one of those that look and are so formidable. Here is the new safe, she pointed out brightly. It is not only proof against explosives, but between the plates is a lining that is proof against thermals and even that oxyacetylene blowpipe, by which you rescued me from the old boiler. It has the time lock too, that will prevent it being opened at night, even if anyone should learn the combination. They stood before the safe a moment, and Kennedy examined it closely with much interest. Wonderful, he admired. I knew you'd approve of it, cried Elane, much pleased. Now I have something else to show you. She paused at the desk and from a drawer took out a portfolio of large photographs. They were very handsome photographs of herself. Much more wonderful than the safe, remarked Craig earnestly. Then, hesitating and a trifling barrisse, he added, May I, may I have one? If you care for it, she said, dropping her eyes, then glancing up at him quickly. Care for her? He repeated. It will be one of the greatest treasures. She slipped the picture quickly into an envelope. Come, she interrupted. Aunt Josephine will be wondering where we are. She's a demon chaperone. Bennett, Aunt Josephine, and myself were talking earnestly as Elane and Craig returned. Well, said Bennett, glancing at his watch and rising as he turned to Elane, I'm afraid I must go now. He crossed over to where she stood and shook hands. There was no doubt that Bennett was very much smitten by his fair client. Goodbye, Mr Bennett, she murmured, and thank you so much for what you have done for me today. But there was something lifeless about the words. She turned quickly to Craig, who had remained standing. Must you go to Mr Kennedy? She asked, noticing his position. I'm afraid Mr Jameson and I must be back on the job before this clutching hand gets busy again. He replied reluctantly. Oh, I hope you would get him soon, she exclaimed, and there was nothing lifeless about the way she gave Craig her hand as Bennett. He and I left a moment later. That morning I had noticed Kennedy fussing some time at the door of our apartment before we went over to the laboratory. As nearly as I could make out, he had placed something under the rug at the door out into the hallway. When we approached our door now, Craig paused. By pressing a little concealed button, he caused a panel in the wall outside to loosen, disclosing a small box-like plate in the wall underneath. It was about a foot long and perhaps four inches wide. Through it ran a piece of paper, which unrolled from one coil and wound up on another, actuated by clockwork. Across the blank white paper ran an inclined trace by a stylographic pen, such as I had seen in mechanical pencils used in offices, hotels, banks and such places. Kennedy examined the thing with interest. What is it? I asked. A new seismograph, he replied, still gazing carefully at the rolled up part of paper. I have installed it because it registers every footstep on the floor of our apartment. We can't be too careful with this clutching hand. I want to know whether we have any visitors or not in our absence. This straight line indicates that we have not. Wait a moment. Craig hastily unlocked the door and entered. Inside I could see him pacing up and down our modest quarters. Do you see anything, Walter? He called. I looked at the seismograph. The pen had started to trace its line, no longer even and straight, but zigzag at different heights across the paper. He came to the door. What do you think of it? He inquired. Splendid idea, I answered enthusiastically. Our apartment was, as I have said, modest, consisting of a large living room, two bedrooms and a bath, an attractive but not all night place, which we found very cosy and comfortable. On one side of the room was a big fireplace, before which stood a fire screen. We had collected easy chairs and capacious tables and desks. Books were scattered about, literally overflowing from the crowded shelves. On the walls were our favourite pictures, while for ornament I suppose I might mention my typewriter, and now and then some of Craig's wonderful scientific apparatus, as satisfying our limited desire for purely aesthetic. We entered and fell to work at the aforementioned typewriter, on a special Sunday story that I had been forced to neglect. I was not so busy, however, that I did not notice out of the corner of my eye that Kennedy had taken from its cover Elaine Dodger's picture and was gazing at it ravenously. I put my hand surreptitiously over my mouth and coughed. Kennedy wheeled on me, and I hastily banged a sentence out on the machine, making at least half a dozen mistakes. I had finished as much of the article as I could do then, and were smoking and reading it over. Kennedy was still gazing at the picture Ms Dodge had given him, then moving from place to place about the room, evidently wondering where it would look best. I doubt whether he had done another blessed thing since we returned. He tried it on the mantle, that wouldn't do. At last he held it up beside a picture of Galton, I think, of fingerprints and eugenics fame, who hung on the wall directly opposite the fireplace. Hastily he compared the two. Elaine's picture was of precisely the same size. Next he tore out the picture of the scientist, and threw it carelessly into the fireplace. Then he placed Elaine's picture in its place and hung it up again, standing off to admire it. I watched him gleefully, was this craig. Purposely I moved my elbow suddenly and pushed a book with a bang on the floor. Kennedy actually jumped. I picked up the book with a muttered apology. No, this was not the same old craig. Perhaps half an hour later I was still reading. Kennedy was now pacing up and down the room, apparently unable to concentrate his mind on any but one subject. He stopped a moment before the photograph, looked at it fixedly. Then he started his methodical walk again, hesitated and went over to the telephone, calling a number which I recognised. She must have been pretty well done up by her experience, he said apologetically, catching my eye. I was wondering if. Hello, oh, Miss Dodge. I just called up to see if you were all right. Craig was very much embarrassed, but also very much in earnest. A musical laugh rippled over the telephone. Yes, I'm all right, thank you, Mr Kennedy, and I put the package you sent me into the safe. But package, frowned Craig. Why? I sent you no package, Miss Dodge, in the safe. Why, yes, and the soak is all covered with moisture, and so cold. Moisture, cold, he repeated quickly. Yes, I have been wondering if it is all right. In fact, I was going to call you up. Only I was afraid you'd think I was foolish. I shall be right over, he answered hastily, clapping the receiver back on its hook. Walter, he added, seizing his hat and coat. Come on, hurry. A few minutes later we drove up in a taxi before the Dodge house and rung the bell. Jennings admitted us sleepily. It could not have been long after we left Miss Dodge late in the afternoon that Susie Martin, who had been quite worried over our long absence after the attempt to rob her father, dropped in on Elane. Wide-eyed she had listened to Elane's story of what had happened. And you think this clutching hand has never recovered the incriminating papers that caused him to murder your father? Asked Susie. Elane shook her head. No, let me show you the new safe I've bought. Mr Kennedy thinks it's wonderful. I should think you'd be proud of it, admired Susie. I must tell father to get one too. At that very moment, if they had known it, the clutching hand with his sinister masked face was peering at the two girls from the other side of the portiers. Susie rose to go and Elane followed her to the door. No sooner had she gone than the clutching hand came out from behind the curtains. He gazed about a moment, then moving over to the safe about which the two girls had been talking, stealthily examined it. He must have heard someone coming, for with a gesture of hate at the safe itself, as though he personified it, he slipped back at the curtains again. Elane had returned, and as she sat down at the desk to go over some papers, which Bennett had left relative to settling up the estate, the masked intruder, stealthily and silently withdrew. A package for you, Miss Dodge, announced Michael later in the evening, as Elane, in her dainty evening gown, was still engaged in going over the papers. He carried it in his hands, rather gingerly. Mr Kennedy sent it, ma'am. He says it contains clues, and will you please put it in the new safe for him? Elane took the package eagerly and examined it. Then she pulled open the heavy door of the safe. It must be getting cold out, Michael, she remarked. This package is as cold as ice. It is, ma'am, answered Michael, deferentially with a side-long glance that did not prevent his watching her intently. She closed the safe and, with a glance at her watch, set the time lock and went upstairs to her room. No sooner had Elane disappeared, the Michael appeared again, cat-like, through the curtains from the drawing room. And, after a glance about the dimly-lighted library, discovering that the coast was clear, motioned to a figure hiding behind the portiers. A moment and clutching hand himself came out. He moved over to the safe and looked it over. Then he put out his hand and touched it. Good, Michael, he exclaimed with satisfaction. Listen, caution, Michael. Someone was coming and they hostily slung behind the protecting portiers. It was Marie, Elane's maid. She turned up the lights and went over to the desk for a book for which Elane had evidently sent her. She paused and appeared to be listening. Then she went to the door. Jennings, she beckoned. What is it, Marie? He replied. She said nothing, but as he came up the hall, led him to the centre of the room. Listen, I heard sighs and groans. Jennings looked at her a moment. Puzzle then laughed. You girls, he exclaimed. I suppose you'll always think the library haunted now. But Jennings, listen, she persisted. Jennings did listen. Sure enough, there were sounds, weird, uncanny. He gazed about the room. It was eerie. Then he took a few steps toward the safe. Marie put out her hand to it and started back. Why? That safe is all covered with cold sweat. She cried with bated breath. Sure enough, the face of the safe was beaded with dampness. Jennings put his hand on it and quickly drew it away, leaving a mark on the dampness. What do you think of that? He gasped. I'm going to tell Ms. Dodge, cried Marie, genuinely frightened. A moment later she burst into Elane's room. What is the matter, Marie? Asked Elane, laying down her book. You look as if you had seen a ghost. Ah, but Madam Moselle, it is just like that. The safe, if Madam Moselle will come downstairs, I will show it you. Puzzle, but interested, Elane followed her. In the library, Jennings pointed mucley at the new safe. Elane approached it. As they stood about, new beads of perspiration, as it were, formed on it. Elane touched it, and also quickly withdrew her hand. I can't imagine what's the matter, she said, but, well, Jennings, you may go, and Marie also. When the servants had gone, she still regarded the safe with the same wondering look, then turning out the light, she followed. She had scarcely disappeared when from the portier doorway nearby. The clutching hand appeared, and after gazing out at them, took a quick look at the safe. Good, he muttered. Noiselessly, Michael, of the sinister face, moved in and took a position in the centre of the room, as if on guard, while clutching hands sat before the safe, watching it intently. Someone at the door. Jennings is answering the bell, Michael whispered hoarsely. Confounded, muttered clutching hand, as both moved to gain behind the heavy velour curtains. I'm so glad to see you, Mr Kennedy, greeted Elane unaffectively as Jennings admitted us. She had heard the bell and was coming downstairs as we entered. We three moved toward the library, and someone switched on the lights. Craig strode over to the safe. The cold sweat on it had now turned to icicles. Craig's face clouded with thought as he examined it more closely. There was actually a groaning sound from within. It can't be opened, he said to himself. The time lock is set for tomorrow morning. Outside, if we had not been so absorbed in the present mystery, we might have seen Michael and the clutching hand listening to us. Clutching hand looked tasteily at his watch. The juice, he muttered under his breath, stifling his suppressed fury. We stood looking at the safe. Kennedy was deeply interested. Elane standing close beside him. Suddenly he seemed to make up his mind. Quick, Elane, he cried, taking her arm. Stand back. We all retreated. The safe door, powerful as it was, had actually begun to warp and bend. The plates were bulging. A moment later, with a loud report and concussion, the door blew off. A blast of cold air and flakes like snow flew out. Papers were scattered on every side. We stood gazing aghast a second, then ran forward. Kennedy quickly examined the safe. He bent down and from the wreck, took up a package, now covered with white. As quickly he dropped it. That is the package that was sent, cried Elane. Taking it in a table cover, he laid it on the table and opened it. Inside was a peculiar-shaped flask, open at the top, but like a vacuum bottle. A duo flask ejaculated Craig. What is it? asked Elane, appealing to him. Liquid air, he answered. As if evaporated, the terrific pressure of expanding air in the safe increased, until it blew out the door. That is what caused the cold sweating and the groans. We watched him startle. On the other side of the portiers, Michael and clutching hand waited. Then, in the general confusion, clutching hand slowly disappeared, foiled. Where did this package come from? asked Kennedy of Jennings suspiciously. Jennings looked blank. Why? put in Elane. Michael brought it to me. Get Michael, ordered Kennedy. Yes, sir, not at Jennings. A moment later he returned. I found him going upstairs, reported Jennings, leading Michael in. Where did you get this package? shot out Kennedy. It was left at the door, sir, by a boy, sir. Question after question could not shake that simple, stolid sentence. Kennedy frowned. You may go, he said finally, as if reserving something for Michael later. A sudden exclamation followed from Elane as Michael passed down the hall again. She had moved over to the desk during the questioning and was leaning against it. Inadvertently, she had touched an envelope. It was addressed Craig Kennedy. Craig tore it open. Elane bending anxiously over his shoulder frightened. We read. You have interfered for the last time. It is the end. Beneath it stood the fearsome sign of the clutching hand. The warning of the clutching hand had no other effect on Kennedy than the redoubling of his precautions for safety. Nothing further happened that night, however, and the next morning found us early at the laboratory. It was the late forenoon when, after a hurry trip down to the office, I rejoined Kennedy at his scientific workshop. We walked down the street when a big limousine shot past. Kennedy stopped in the middle of a remark. He had recognized the car with a sort of instinct. At the same moment I saw a smiling face at the window of the car. It was Elane Dodge. The car stopped in something less than twice its length and then back towards us. Kennedy had off, was at the window in a moment. There were our Josephine and Susie Martin also. Where are you boys going? asked Elane with interest, then added with a gaiety that ill concealed her real anxiety. I'm so glad to see you, to see that nothing has happened from that dreadful clutching hand. Why? We were just going up to our rooms, replied Kennedy. Can't we drive you around? We climbed in and a moment later we're off. The ride was only too short for Kennedy. We stepped out in front of our apartment and stood chatting for a moment. Some day I want to show you the laboratory Craig was saying. It must be so interesting, exclaimed Elane enthusiastically. Think of all the bad men you must have caught. I have quite a collection of stuff here at our rooms, remark Craig, almost a museum. Still he ventured. I can't promise that the place is in order, he laughed. Elane hesitated. Would you like to see it? She weedled of Aunt Josephine. Aunt Josephine nodded, acquiescence, and a moment later we all entered the building. You, you are very careful since that last morning, asked Elane as we approached our door. More than ever now replied Craig. I have made up my mind to win. She seemed to catch at the words as though they had a hidden meaning, looking first at him and then away, not displeased. Kennedy had started to unlock the door when he stopped short. See, he said, this is a precaution I have just installed. I almost forgot in the excitement. He pressed the panel and disclosed the box-like apparatus. This is my seismograph, which tells me whether I have had any visitors in my absence. If the pen traces a straight line, it is all right, but if, hello Walter, the line is wavy. We exchanged a significant glance. Would you mind standing down the hall just a bit while I enter? Ask Craig. Be careful, cautioned Elane. He unlocked the door, standing off to one side. Then he extended his hand across the doorway. Still nothing happened. There was not a sound. He looked cautiously into the room. Apparently there was nothing. It had been about the middle of the morning that an express wagon had pulled up sharply before our apartment. Mr. Kennedy, live here? Asked one of the expressmen. Descending with his helper and approaching our janitor, Jens Jensen, a typical swede who was coming up out of the basement. Jens growled assuredly. Yes, but Mr. Kennedy, he bane out. Too bad. We've got this large cabinet he ordered from Grand Rapids. We can't cart it around all day. Can't you let us in so we can leave it? Jensen muttered. Well, I guess it bane all right. They took the cabinet off the wagon and carried it upstairs. Jensen opened our door, still grumbling, and they placed the heavy cabinet in the living room. Sign here. You fellows bane a nuisance, protested Jens, signing nevertheless. Scarcely had the sound ox, their footfalls, died away in the outside hallway when the door at the cabinet slowly opened and a masked face protruded, gazing about the room. It was the clutching hand. From the cabinet he took a large package wrapped in newspapers. As he held it, looking keenly about, his eye rested on Elaine's picture. A moment he looked at it, then quickly at the fireplace opposite. An idea seemed to occur to him. He took the package to the fireplace, removed the screen, and laid the package over the and irons, with one end pointing out into the room. Next he took from the cabinet a couple of storage batteries and a coil of wire. Deftly and quickly he fixed them on the package. Meanwhile, before an alleyway across the street and further down the long block, the express wagon had stopped. The driver and his helper clamped out and for a moment stood talking in low tones with covered glances at our apartment. They moved him to the alley and the driver drew out a battered pair of opera glasses, leveling them at our windows. Having completed fixing the batteries and wires, clutching hand ran the wires along the molding on the wall overhead from the fireplace until he was directly over Elaine's picture. Skillfully he managed to fix the wires, using them in place of the picture wires to support the frame photograph. Then he carefully moved the photograph until it hung very noticeably a skew on the wall. The last wire joined, he looked about the room, then noiselessly moved to the window and raised the shade. Quickly he raised his hand and brought the fingers slowly together, it was the sign. Off in the alley, the express driver and his helper were still gazing up through the opera glass. What do you see Bill? He asked, handing over the glass. The other took it and looked. It's him, the hand Jack, whispered the helper, handing the glasses back. They jumped into the wagon and away at rattle. Jensen was smoking placidly as the wagon pulled up the second time. Sorry said the driver sheepishly, but we delivered the cabinet to the wrong Mr Kennedy. He pulled out the inevitable book to prove it. War, you band fine fellows, growled Jensen, puffing like a furnace in his fury. You cannot go up again. We'll get fired for the mistake, pleaded the helper. Just this once urged the driver as he rattled some loose change in his pocket. Here, there goes a whole day's tits. He handed Jens a dollar in small change. Still grumpy but mollified by the silver, Jens let them go up and open the door to our rooms again. There stood the cabinet as outwardly innocent as when it came in. Lugging and tugging, they managed to get the heavy piece of furniture out and downstairs again, loading it on the wagon. Then they drove off with it, accompanied by a parting volley from Jensen. In an unfrequentened street, perhaps half a mile away, the wagon stopped. With a keen glance around, the driver and his helper made sure that no one was about. Such a shaken up you've given me, growled a voice as the cabinet door opened, but I've got him this time. It was the clutching hand. There, men, you can leave me here, he ordered. He motioned to them to drive off, and, as they did so, pulled off his masking handkerchief and dived into a narrow street, leading up to a thorough fair. Craig gazed into our living room cautiously. I can't see anything wrong, he said to me, as I stood just beside him. Miss Dodge, he added, were you and the rest, excuse me, if I ask you to wait just a moment longer? Elaine watched him, fascinated. He crossed the room, then went into each of our other rooms. Apparently nothing was wrong, and a minute later he reappeared at the doorway. I guess it's all right, he said. Perhaps it was only Jensen, the janitor. Elaine, Aunt Josephine and Susie Martin entered. Craig placed chairs for them, but still I could see that he was uneasy. From time to time, while they were admiring one of our treasures, after another, he glanced about suspiciously. Finally he moved over to a closet and flung the door open, ready for anything. No one was in the closet, and he closed it hastily. What is the trouble, do you think? Asked Elaine, wonderingly, noticing his manner. I can't just say, answered Craig, trying to appear easy. She had risen, and with keen interest, was looking at the books, the pictures, the queer collection of weapons and odds and ends from the underworld, that Craig had amassed in his adventures. At last her eye wandered across the room. She caught sight of her own picture, occupying a place of honour, but hanging askew. Isn't that just like a man, she exclaimed laughingly, such housekeepers as you are, such carelessness. She had taken a step or two across the room to straighten the picture. Miss Dodge almost shouted Kennedy, his face fairly blanched, stop. She turned her stunning eyes filled with amazement at his suddenness. Nevertheless she moved quickly to one side, as he waved his arms, unable to speak quickly enough. Kennedy stood quite still, gazing at the picture askew, with suspicion. That wasn't that way when we left, was it Walter? He asked. It certainly was not, I answered positively. There was more time spent in getting that picture just right than I ever saw you spend on all the rest of the room. Craig frowned. As for myself, I did not know what to make of it. I'm afraid I shall have to ask you to step into this back room, said Craig at length to the ladies. I'm sorry, but we can't be too careful with this intruder, whoever he was. They rose, surprised, but as he continued to urge them, they moved into my room. Elaine, however, stopped at the door. For a moment Kennedy appeared to be considering. Then his eye fell on a fishing rod that stood in a corner. He took it and moved toward the picture. On his hands and knees, to one side, down as close as he could get to the floor, with the rod extended at arm's length. He motioned to me to do the same behind him. Elaine, unable to repress her interest, took a half step forward, breathless from the doorway, while Susie Martin and Aunt Josephine stood close behind her. Carefully Kennedy reached out with the pole and straightened the picture. As he did so, there was a flash, a loud deafening report, and a great puff of smoke from the fireplace. The fire screen was riddled and overturned. A charge of buckshot shattered the precious photograph of Elaine. We had dropped flat on the floor at the report. I looked about. Kennedy was unharmed, and so were the rest. With a bound he was at the fireplace, followed by Elaine and the rest of us. There, in what remained of a package done up roughly in newspaper, was a shotgun with its barrel sold off about six inches from the lock, fastened to a block of wood, and connected to a series of springs on the trigger, released by a little electromagnetic arrangement, actuated by two batteries, and leading by wires up along the moulding to the picture, where the slightest touch would complete the circuit. The newspapers, which were wrapped about the deadly thing, were burning, and Kennedy quickly tore them off, throwing them into the fireplace. A startled cry from Elaine caused us to turn. She was standing directly before her shattered picture, where it hung aury on the wall. The heavy charges of buckshot had knocked away large pieces of paper and plastered under it. Craig, she gasped, he was at her side in a second. She laid one hand on his arm as she faced him. With the other she traced an imaginary line in the air, from the level of the buckshot to his head, and then straight to the infernal thing that had lain in the fireplace. And to think, she shuddered, that it was through me that he tried to kill you. Never mind, laugh Craig easily, as they gazed into each other's eyes, drawn together by their mutual peril. Cutting hand will have to be cleverer than this, to get either of us, Elaine. End of Chapter 4. Chapter 5 of The Exploits of Elaine. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The Exploits of Elaine by Arthur B. Reef. Chapter 5. The Poisoned Room Elaine and Craig were much together during the next few days. Somehow or other, it seemed that the chase of the clutching hand involved long conferences in the Dodge Library, and even, in fact, extended to excursions, into that notoriously crime-infested neighbourhood of Riverside Drive, with its fashionable processions of automobiles and go-karts as far north, indeed as that desperate haunt known as Grant's Tomb. More than that, these delvings into the underworld involved Kennedy in the necessity of wearing a frock coat and silk hat in the afternoon, and I found that he was selecting his neckwear, with a care that had been utterly foreign to him during all the years previous that I had known him. It all looked very suspicious to me, but to return to the more serious side of the affair. Kennedy and Elaine had scarcely come out of the house and descended the steps one afternoon, when a sinister face appeared in a basement area away nearby. The figure was crouched over, with his back humped up almost as if deformed, and his left hand had an unmistakable twist. It was the clutching hand. He wore a telephone inspector's hat and coat, and carried a bag slung by a strap over his shoulder. The once he had leapt off his mask, but in place of it, his face was covered by a scraggly black beard. In fact, he seemed to avoid turning his face full, three-quarters or even profile to anyone, unless he had to do so. As much as possible, he averted it, but he did so in a clever way that made it seem quite natural. The disguise was effective. He saw Kennedy amistage and slunk unobtrusively against a railing, with his head turned away. Laughing and chatting, they passed. As they walked down the street, clutching hand turned and gazed after them. Involuntarily, the menacing hand clutched in open hatred. Then he turned in the other direction, and, going up the steps of the Dodge House, rung the bell. Telephone inspector, he said in a loud tone, as Michael, in Jennings place for the afternoon, opened the door. He accompanied the words with the sign and Michael, taking care that the words be heard in case anyone was listening, admitted him. As it happened, Aunt Josephine was upstairs in Elaine's room. She was fixing flowers in a vase on the dressing table of her idolised niece. Meanwhile, Rusty the Collie lay half-linking on the floor. Who is this? She asked, as Michael led the bogus telephone inspector into the room. A man from the telephone company, he answered differentially. Aunt Josephine, unsophisticated, allowed them to enter without a further question. Quickly, like a good workman, clutching hand went to the telephone instrument, and by dint of keeping his finger on the hook, and his back to Aunt Josephine succeeded in conveying the illusion that he was examining it. Aunt Josephine moved to the door, not so Rusty. He did not like the looks of the stranger, and he had no screw force against letting it be known. As she put her hand on the knob to go out into the hall, Rusty uttered a low growl, which grew into a full lung snarl at the clutching hand. Clutching hand kicked at him vigorously, if surreptitiously. Rusty barked. Lady, he disguised his voice. Were you pleased to call off the dog? Me and him don't seem to cotton to each other. Here, Rusty, she commanded, down. Together Aunt Josephine and Michael removed the still protesting Rusty. No sooner was the door shut than the clutching hand moved over swiftly to it. For a few seconds he stood gazing at them as they disappeared downstairs. Then he came back into the centre of the room. Hastily he opened his bag and from it drew a small powder spraying out of it, such as I have seen used for spraying bug powder. He then took out a sort of muscle with an elastic band on it and slipped it over his head so that the muscle protected his nose and mouth. He seemed to work a sort of pumping attachment and from the nozzle at the spraying instrument blew out a cloud of powder which he directed at the wall. The wallpaper was one of those rich fuzzy varieties and it seemed to catch the powder. Clutching hand appeared to be more than satisfied with the effect. Meanwhile, Michael, in the hallway, on guard to see that no one bothered the clutching hand at his work, was overcome by curiosity to see what his master was doing. He opened the door a little bit and gave stealthily through the crack into the room. Clutching hand was now spraying the rug close to the dressing table of the lane and were standing near the mirror. He stooped down to examine the rug. Then as he rose to his head he happened to look into the mirror. In it he could see the full reflection of Michael behind him gazing into the room. The scoundrel muttered clutching hand with repressed fury at the discovery. He rose quickly and shut off the spraying instrument stuffing it into the bag. He took a step or two toward the door. Michael drew back fearfully pretending now to be on guard. Clutching hand opened the door and still wearing the muzzle beckoned to Michael. Michael could scarcely control his fears. But he obeyed entering Elane's room after the clutching hand who locked the door. Were you watching me? demanded the master criminal with rage. Michael trembling all over shook his head. For a moment clutching hand looked him over disdainfully at the clumsy lie. Then he brutally struck Michael in the face knocking him down. An ungovernable almost insane fury seemed to possess the man as he stood over the prostrate footman cursing. Get up he ordered. Michael obeyed thoroughly cowed. Take me to the cellar now he demanded. Michael led the way from the room without a protest. The master criminal following him closely. Down into the cellar by a back way they went clutching hand still wearing the muzzle and Michael saying not a word. Suddenly clutching hand turned on him and seized him by the collar. Now go upstairs you he muttered shaking him until his teeth fairly chattered and if you watch me again I'll kill you. He thrust Michael away and the footman overcome by fear hurried upstairs. Still trembling and fearful Michael paused in the hallway looking back resentfully that even one who is in the power of the super criminal is still human and has feelings that may be injured. Michael put his hand on his face where the clutching hand had struck him. There he waited muttering to himself. As he thought it over anger took the place of fear. He slowly turned in the direction of the cellar. Closing both fists Michael made a threatening gesture at his master in crime. Meanwhile clutching hand was standing by the electric meter. He examined it carefully feeling where the wires entered and lifted starting to trace them out. At last he came to a point where it seemed suitable to make a connection for some purpose he had in mind. Quickly he took some wire from his bag and connected it with the electric light wires. Next he led these wires concealed of course along the cellar floor in the direction of the furnace. The furnace was one of the old hot air haters and he paused before it as though seeking something. Then he bent down beside it and uncovered a little tank. He took off the top in which were cast in the iron the words. This tank must be kept full of water. He thrust his hand gingerly into it bringing it out quickly. The tank was nearly full of water and he brought his hand out wet. It was also hot but he did not seem to mind that for he shook his head with a smile of satisfaction. Next from his capacious bag he took two metal poles all electrodes and fastened them carefully to the ends of the wires placing them at opposite ends of the tank in the water. For several moments he watched. The water inside the tank seemed the same as before only on each electrode there appeared bubbles on one bubbles of oxygen on the other of hydrogen. The water was decomposing under the current by electrolysis. Another moment he surveyed his work to see that he had left no loose ends. Then he picked up his bag and moved toward the cellar steps. As he did so he removed the muzzle from his nose and quietly let himself out of the house. The next morning Rusty who had been Elon's constant companion since the trouble had begun awakened his mistress by licking her hand as it hung loosely over the side of her bed. She awakened with a start and put her hand to her head. She felt ill. Poor old fellow she movement half daisily for the moment endowing her pet with her own feelings as she patted his face full shaggy head. Rusty moved away again wagging his tail listlessly. The collie too felt ill. Elon watched him as he walked dejected across the room and then lay down. Why miss Elon what is the matter you are so pale exclaimed the maid Marie as she entered the room a moment later with the morning's mail on a cellar. I don't feel well Marie. She replied trying with a slender wide hand to brush the cobwebs from her brain. I wish she'd tell Aunt Josephine to telephone Dr. Haywood. Yes Madam Azell answered Marie deftly and sympathetically straightening out the pillows. Languidly Elon took the letters one by one off the cellar. She looked at them but seemed not to have energy enough to open them. Finally she selected one and slowly tore it open and had no superscription but it at once arrested her attention and transfixed her with terror. It read you are sick this morning tomorrow you will be worse the next day you will die unless you discharge Craig Kennedy it was signed by the mystic trademark of the fearsome clutching hand Elon drew back into the pillows horror stricken quickly she called to Marie go get Aunt Josephine right away as Marie almost flew down the hall Elon still holding the letter convulsively pulled herself together and caught up trembling she almost seized the telephone as she called Kennedy's number Kennedy in his stained laboratory apron was at work before his table while I was watching him with intense interest when the telephone rang without a word he answered the call and I could see a look at perturbation cross his face I knew it was from a lane but could tell nothing about the nature of the message an instant later he almost tore off the apron and threw on his hat and coat I followed him as he dashed out of the laboratory this is terrible terrible he muttered as we hurried across the campus of the university to a taxi cab stand a few minutes later when we arrived at the dodge mansion we found Aunt Josephine and Marie doing all they could under the circumstances Aunt Josephine had just given her a glass of water which she drunk eagerly Rusty had meanwhile crawled under the bed caring only to be alone and undisturbed Dr. Haywood had arrived and had just finished taking her pulse and temperature as our cab pulled up Jennings who had evidently been expecting us let us in without a word and conducted us up to Elon's room we knocked Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Jameson we could hear Marie whisper in a subdued voice told them to come in answered Elaine eagerly we entered there she lay beautiful as ever but with the whiteness of her fresh cheek that was too etharily unnatural Elaine was quite ill indeed oh I'm so glad to see you she breathed with an air of relief as Kennedy advanced why what is the matter asked Craig anxiously Dr. Haywood shook his head dubiously but Kennedy did not notice him for as he approached online she drew from the covers where she had concealed it a letter and handed it to him Craig took it and read you are sick this morning tomorrow you will be worse the next day you will die unless you discharge Craig Kennedy at the signature at the clutching hand he frowned then noticing Dr. Haywood turned to him and repeated his question what is the matter Dr. Haywood continued shaking his head I cannot diagnose her symptoms he shrugged as I watched Kennedy's face I saw his nostrils dilating almost as if he were a hound and had sent at his quarry I sniffed too there seemed to be a faint odor almost as if a garlic in the room it was unmistakable and Craig looked about him curiously but said nothing as he sniffed he moved impatiently and his foot touched Rusty under the bed Rusty whined and moved back lazily Craig bent over and looked at him what's the matter with Rusty he asked is he sick too why yes answered Elan following Craig with her deep eyes poor Rusty he woke me up this morning he feels as badly as I do poor old fellow Craig reached down and gently pulled the colleague out into the room Rusty crouched down close to the floor his nose was hot and dry and feverish he was plainly ill how long has Rusty been in the room asked Craig all night answered Elan I wouldn't think of being without him now Kennedy lifted the dog by his front paws Rusty submitted patiently but without any spirit may I take Rusty along with me he asked finally Elan hesitated surely she said at length only be gentle with him Craig looked at her as though it would be impossible to be otherwise with anything belonging to Elan of course he said simply I thought that I might be able to discover the trouble from studying him we stayed only a few minutes longer the Kennedy seemed to realise the necessity of doing something immediately and even Dr. Haywood was fighting in the dark as for me I gave it up too I could find no answer to the mystery of what was the peculiar Malady of Elan back in the laboratory Kennedy's sector worked immediately rushing everything else aside he began by drawing off a little of Rusty's blood in a tube very carefully here Walter he said pointing to the little incision he had made will you take care of him I bound up the wounded leg and gave the poor beast a drink of water Rusty looked at me gratefully from his big sad brown eyes he seemed to appreciate our gentleness and to realize that we were trying to help him in the meantime Craig had taken a flask with a rubber stopper through one hole in it was fitted a long funnel through another rain a glass tube the tube connected with a large u-shaped drying tube filled with calcium chloride which in turn connected with a long open tube with an upturned end into the flask Craig dropped some pure granulated zinc then he covered it with dilute sulfuric acid poured in through the funnel tube that forms hydrogen gas he explained to me which passes through the drying tube and the ignition tube wait a moment until all the air is expelled from the tubes he lighted a match and touched it to the open upturned end the hydrogen now escaping freely was ignited with a pale blue flame a few moments later having extracted something like a serum from the blood he had drawn off from rusty he added the extract to the mixture in the flask pouring it in also through the funnel tube almost immediately the pale blueish flame turned to blueish white and white fumes were formed in the ignition tube a sort of metallic deposit appeared quickly Craig made one test after another as he did so I sniffed there was an unmistakable odor of garlic in the air which made me think of what I had really noticed in Elaine's room what is it I asked mystified as censurated hydrogen he answered still engaged in verifying his tests this is the March test of arsenic I gaze from Kennedy to the apparatus then to Rusty and a picture of Elaine pale and listless flash before me arsenic I repeated in horror I had scarcely recovered from the surprise of Kennedy startling revelation when the telephone rung again Kennedy seized the receiver thinking evidently that the message might be from or about Elaine but from a look on his face and from his manner I could gather that although it was not from Elaine herself it was about something that interested him greatly as he talked he took his little notebook and hastily jotted down something in it still I could not make out what the conversation was about good I heard him say finally I shall keep the appointment absolutely he's faced for a peculiar puzzled look as he hung up the receiver what was it I asked eagerly it was Elaine's footman Michael he replied thoughtfully as I suspected he says that he is a confederate at the clutching hand and if we will protect him he will tell us the trouble with Elaine I considered a moment how's that I queried well added Craig you see Michael has become infuriated by the treatment he received from the clutching hand I believe he cuffed him in the face yesterday anyway he says he has determined to get even and betray him so after hearing how Elaine was he slipped out at the servant's door and looking about carefully to see that he wasn't followed he went straight to a drugstore and called me up he seemed extremely nervous and fearful I did not like the looks of the thing and said so Craig I objected vehemently don't go to meeting it is a trap Kennedy had evidently considered my objection already it may be a trap he replied slowly but Elaine is dying and we've got to see this thing through as he spoke he took an automatic from a drawer at the cabinet and thrust it into his pocket then he went to another drawer and took out several sections of thin tubing which seemed to be made to fasten together as the fishing pole is fastened but we're now separate as if ready for traveling well are you coming Walker he asked finally the only answer to my flood of caution then he went out I followed still arguing if you go I go I capitulated that's all there is to it following the directions that Michael had given over the telephone craved led me into one of the toughest parts of below a west side here's the place he announced stopping across the street from a dingy reigns law hotel pretty tough I objected are you sure quite replied Kennedy consulting his notebook again well I'll be hanged if I'll go in that joint I persisted if I had no effect on Kennedy nonsense Walter he replied crossing the street reluctantly I fired and we entered the place I want a room ask Craig as we were accosted by the proprietor comfortably clad in a loud check suit and striped shirt sleeves I had one here once before 49 I think 50 I began to correct Kennedy trod hard on my toes yes 49 he repeated the proprietor called the stout negro porter waiter and bellhop all combined in one who led us upstairs 49 so he pointed out as Kennedy dropped a dime into his ready palm the negro left us as Craig started to enter I objected but Craig it was 59 not 49 this is the wrong room I know it he replied I had it written in the book but I want 49 now just follow me welcome nervously I followed him into the room don't you understand he went on room 49 is probably just the same as 59 except perhaps the pictures and furniture only it is on the floor below he goes about keenly then he took a few steps to the window and throw it open as he stood there he took the parts of the rods he had been carrying and fitted them together until he had a pole some eight or 10 feet long at one end was a curious arrangement that seemed to contain lenses and a mirror at the other end was an eyepiece as nearly as I could make out what is that I asked as he completed his work that that is an instrument something on the order of a miniature submarine periscope Craig replied still at work I watched him fascinated at his resourcefulness he still fully thrust the mirror end of the periscope out of the window and up toward the corresponding window upstairs then he gazed eagerly through the eyepiece Walter look he exclaimed to me I did there sure enough was Michael pacing up and down the room he had already proceeded us any scared and stealthy manner he had entered the reins law hotel which announced furnished rooms for gentlemen only there he had sought a room 59 as he had said as he came into the room he had looked about overcome by the enormity of what he was about to do he locked the door still he had not been able to avoid gazing about fearfully as he was doing now that we saw him nothing had happened yet he brushed his hand over his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief the air seemed to be stifling him and already he had gone to the window and thrown it open then he had gazed out as though there might be some unknown peril in the very air he had now drawn back from the window and was considering he was actually trembling should he flee he whistled softly to himself to keep his shaking fears under control then he started to pace up and down the room in nervous impatience and a resolution as i looked at him nervously walking to and fro i could not help admitting that things looked safe enough and all right to me kennedy folded the periscope up and we left our room mounting the remaining flight of stairs in 59 we could hear the measured step of the footman craig knocked the footsteps ceased then the door opened slowly and i could see a cold blue automatic look out i cried michael in his fear had drawn a gun it's all right michael reassured craig calmly all right walter he added to me the gun dropped back into the footman's pocket we entered and michael again locked the door not a word had been spoken by him so far next michael moved to the center of the room and as i realized later brought himself in direct lines with the open window he seemed to be overcome with fear at his betrayal and stood there breathing heavily professor kennedy he began i had been so mistreated that i had made up my mind to tell you all i know about this clutching suddenly he drew a sharp breath and both his hands clutched at his own breast he did not stagger and fall in the ordinary manner but seemed to bend at the knees and waste and literally crumble down on his face we ran to him craig turned him over gently on his back and examined him he called no answer michael was almost pulseless quickly craig tore off his collar and buried his breast for the man seemed to be struggling for breath as he did so he drew from michael's chest a small sharp pointed dart what's that i ejaculated horror stricken a poison blowgun dart such as is used by the south american indians on the upper orient echo he said slowly he examined her carefully what is the poison i asked kirari he replied simply it acts on the respiratory muscles paralyzing them and causing asphyxiation the dart seemed to have been made of a quill with a very sharp point hollow and containing the deadly poison in the sharpened end look out i cautioned as he handled it oh that's all right he answered casually if i don't scratch myself i am safe enough i could swallow the stuff and it wouldn't hurt me unless i had an abrasion of the lips or some internal cut kennedy continued to examine the dart until suddenly i heard a low exclamation of surprise from him inside the hollow quill was a thin sheet of tissue paper tightly rolled he drew it out and read to know me is death kennedy take warning underneath was the inevitable cutting hand sign we jumped to our feet kennedy rushed to the window and slammed a shut while i seized the key from michael's pocket opened the door and called for help a moment before on the roof of a building across the street one might have seen a bent skulking figure his face was copper colored and on his head was a thick thatch of matted hair he looked like a south american indian in a very dilipidated suit of cast off american clothes he had slipped out through a doorway leading to a flight of steps from the roof to the hallway of the tenement his fatal dart sent on its unearing mission with a precision born of long years in the south american jungle he concealed the deadly blowgun in his breast pocket with a cruel smile and like one of his native venomous serpents warmed his way down the stairs again my outcry brought a veritable battalion of aid the hotel proprietor the negro waiter and several others dashed upstairs followed shortly by a portly policeman puffing at the exertion what's the matter here he panted you're all under arrest kennedy quietly pulled out his card case and taking the policeman aside showed it to him we had an appointment to meet this man in that clutching hand case you know he's misdodges footman craig explained then he took the policeman into his confidence showing him the dart and explaining about the poison the officer stared blankly i must get away too hurried on craig officer i will leave you to take charge here you can depend on me for the inquest the officer nodded come on walter whispered craig eager to get away then adding the one word elay i followed hastily not slow to understand his fear for her nor were craig's fears groundless in spite of all that could be done for her elaine was still in bed much weaker now than before while we had been gone dr haywood aunt josephine and marie were distracted more than that the clutching hand had not neglected the opportunity either suddenly just before our return a stone had come hurtling through the window without warning of any kind and had landed on elaine's bed below as we learned some time afterwards a car had drawn up hastily and the evil faced crook whom the clutching hand had used to rid himself of the informer limpy red had leaped out and hurled the stone through the window as quickly leaping back into the car and whisking away elaine had screamed all had reached for the stone but she had been the first to seize it and discover that around it was wrapped a piece of paper on which was the ominous warning signed as usual by the hand michael is dead tomorrow you then kennedy stopped before it is too late elaine had sunk back into her pillows paler than ever from this second shock while the others as they read the note were overcome by alarm and despair at the suddenness of the thing it was just then that kennedy and i arrived and were admitted oh mr kennedy cried elaine handing him the note craig took it and read miss dodge he said as he held the note out to me you are suffering from arsenic poisoning but i don't know yet how it is being administered he gazed about keenly meanwhile i had taken the crumbled note from him and was reading it somehow i had leaned against the wall as i turned craig happened to glance at me for heaven's sake walter i heard him exclaim what have you been up against he fairly leaped at me and i felt him examining my shoulder where i'd been leaning on the wall something on the paper had come off and had left a white mark on my shoulder craig looked puzzled from me to the wall arsenic he cried he whipped out a pocket lens and looked at the paper this heavy fuzzy paper is fairly loaded with it powdered he reported i looked to the powdered arsenic was plainly discernible yes here it is he continued standing absorbed in thought but why did it work so effectively he sniffed as he had before so did i there was still the faint smell of garlic kennedy paced the room suddenly pausing by the register an idea seemed to strike him walter he whispered come down cellar with me oh be careful cried elaine anxious for him i will he called back as he flashed his pocket electric bull's eye about his gaze fell on the electric meter he paused before it in spite of the fact that it was broad daylight it was running his face puckered they are using no current at present in the house he ruminated yet the meter is running he continued to examine the meter then he began to follow the electric wires along at last he discovered a place where they had been tampered with and taped by other wires the work at the clutching hand he muttered eagerly he followed the wires to the furnace and around to the back there they led right into a little water tank kennedy yanked them out as he did so he pulled something with them two electrodes the villain placed there he exclaimed holding them up triumphantly for me to see yet yes i replied dubiously but what does it all mean why don't you see under the influence of the electric current the water was decomposed and gave off oxygen and hydrogen the free hydrogen passed up the furnace pipe and combining with the arsenic in the wall paper formed the deadly arson urated hydrogen he cast the hole improvised electrolysis apparatus on the floor and dashed up the cellar steps i've found it he cried hurrying into elaine's room it's in this room a deadly gas arsenated hydrogen he tore open the windows and threw them all open have her moved he cried to aunt josephine then have a vacuum cleaner go over every inch of all carpet and upholstery standing beside her he breathlessly explained his discovery that wallpaper has been loaded down with arsenic probably paris green or schwendforth green which is acetone arsenide of copper every minute you are here you are breathing arson rated hydrogen the clutching hand has cleverly contrived to introduce the nascent gas into the room the axe on the arsenic compounds in the wallpaper and hangings and sets free the gas i thought i knew the smell the moment i got a whiff of it you are slowly being poisoned by minute quantities of the deadly gas this clutching hand is a diabolical genius think of it poison wall paper no one said a word kennedy reached down and took the two clutching hand messages elaine had received i shall want to study these notes more too he said holding them up to the wall at the head at the bed as he flashed his pocket lens at them you see elaine i may be able to get something from studying the ink the paper the handwriting suddenly both lead back with the cry their faces had been several inches apart something had whizzed between them and literally impaled the two notes on the wall down the street on the roof of the carriage house back of a neighbor's might have been seen the uncouth figure of the delipidated south american indian crouching behind a chimney and gazing intently at the dodger house as craig had thrown open elaine's window and turned to elaine the figure had crouched closer to his chimney then with an uncanny determination he slowly raised the blowgun to his lips i jumped forward followed by dr hayward aunt josephine and marie kennedy had a peculiar look as he pulled out from the wall a blowgun dart similar in every way to that which had killed michael craig gasped elaine reaching up and laying her soft white hand on his arm in underscores fear for him you you must give up this chase for the clutching hand give up the chase for the clutching hand he repeated in surprise never not until either he or i is dead there was both fear and admiration mingled in her look as he reached down and patted her dainty shoulder encouragingly end of chapter five