8 | The Exploits of Elaine j A Detective Novel and a Motion Picture Drama By ARTHUR B. REEVE R TheWcU-Krown Novelist and the Gestoraf the"CraigKennedy**Stories i Presented in Collaboration With the Pathe Player* asd I the Eclectic Film Company :jt CottricbL m*. briteSu Coofan All FMoxa fctiso Rckim ■>'s SYNOPSIS. The New York police are mystified by ■ series of murder? and other crimes. The principal clue to the criminal is the warning letter which Is sent the victims, signed with a "clutching hand." The lat est victim of tho mysterious assassin is Taylor Dodge, the insurance president. His daughter. Elaine, employs Craig Ken nedy. the famous scientific detective, to try to unravel the mystery. V.'hat Ken nedy accomplishes is told by his triend Jameson, a newspaper man. Enraged at the determined effort which Elaine and Craig Kennedy are making to put an end to his crimes, the Clutching Hand, as this strange criminal is known, resorts to all sorts of the most diabolical schemes to put them out of the way. Each chap iter of the story tells of a new plot against their lives and of the way th« great detect ve all his skill to sav« this pretty girl and himself from death, FOURTEENTH EPISODE THE RECKONING. Pacing up and down his den in the heart of Chinatown. Long Sin was thinking over his bargain with Ken nedy to betray the infamous Clutch ing Hand At length he seated himself on a teakwood table still deliberating over the promise he had been forced to make to Kennedy. Suddenly an idea seemed to strike him. Lifting a little hammer, he atruck a Chinese gong on the table at his side. At the same time he leaned over and turned the knob at the cide of a large roll-top desk. A few seconds later a sort of hatch way. covered by a rug on the floor. In one corner of the room, was slowly lifted and Long Sin's secretary, a pale, cadaverous Chinaman, appeared from below. He stepped noiselessly Into the room and shuffled across to Long Sin and handed him a letter. l-ong Sin scowled, as though some thing had interfered with his own plans, but tore open the envelope with out a word, spreading out on his lap the sheet of paper it contained. The letter was a typewritten mes sage. all in capitals, which read: "BE AT HEADQUARTERS AT 12. DESTROY THIS IMMEDIATELY." At the bottom of the note appeared the sinister signature of the Clutching Hand. Bowing low again, the secretary shuffled across and down again through the hatchway, closing the door as he descended. Long Sin read the note once more, while his Inscrutable face assumed at expression of malicious cunning. With an air of deliberation he reached for a match and struck it. He had placed the paper In the Same when suddenly he seemed to change his mind. He hastily blew out the match, which had destroyed only a corner of the paper, then folded the note carefully and placed it in his pocket. A few moments later, with a malig nant chuckle. Long Sin rose slowly and left the room. Meanwhile the master criminal was busily engaged in putting the finishing touches to a final scheme of fiendish ingenuity for the absolute destruc tion of Waig Kennedy. He had been at work in a small room fitting up a sort of laboratory in the mysterious house which now served as his headquarters. Clutching Hand, at a bench in one . corner, had just competed an infernal j machine of diabolical cunning, and was wrapping it carefully in paper to make an innocent package. He was interrupted by a knock at the door. Laying down the bomb he went to answer the summons with a stealthy movement There stood Long Sin. who had disguised himself as a Chinese laundryman. "On time —good!"' growled Clutch ing Hand surlily as he closed the door with equal care. No time was wasted in useless for-1 mail ties. "This is a bomb," he went on, point-j Ing to the package. "Carry it care fully. On no account let It slip, or you are a dead man. It must be In Kennedy's laboratory before night. Understand? Can you arrange it?" Long Sin glanced at the dangerous package, then with an expressive look, replied, "Have no fear. I can do it. It will be in the laboratory within an hour. Trust me.'' • •••••• In Kennedy's laboratory I was watch- 1 Ing Craig make some experiments with a new X-ray apparatus. We were oblivious to the passage of time, and only a call over our speak ing tube diverted our attention. I opened the door and a few seconds later Long Sin himself entered. Kennedy looked up Inquiringly as the Chinaman approached, holding out a package which he carried. "A bomb." he said, in the most mat ter-of-fact way. "I promised to have It placed in your laboratory before night." Kennedy took the bomb and care- 1 fully placed It under the wonderful rays, then with the fluoroscope over his eyes studied the shadow cast by the rays on its sensitive screen. "It's a bomb, sure enough." Craig exclaimed, looking up from it at last to me. "It's timed by an ingenious See "Exploits of Elaine," Fourteenth Episode, In Motion Pictures, Victoria Theatre, Saturday, May 22 READ THE STORY IN THE STAR-INDEPENDENT EVERV WEEK j and noiseless little piece of clockwork, in there, too. And it's powerful enough to blow us all. the laboratory included, to kingdom come." As he spoke, and before I could re monstrate with him. he took the in fernal machine and placed it on a table where he set to work on the most delicate and dangerous piece of dissection of which I have ever heard. Carefully unwrapping the bomb and unscrewing one part while he held an other firm, he finally took out of it a bottle of liquid and some powder. Then he placed a few grains of the powder on a dish and dropped on it a drop or two of the liquid. There was a bright flash as the powder ignited Instantly. "Just what I expected." commented Kennedy with a nod, as he examined the clever workmanship of the bomb. One thing that interested him was that part of the contents had been wrapped in paper to keep them in place. This paper he was now care fully examining with a microscope. As nearly as I could make It out. the paper contained part of a typewrit ten cremical formula, which read: TINCTURE OF IODINE THREE PARTS OF He looked up from his study of the microscope to Long Sin. "Tell me just how it happened that ■you got this bomb," he asked. Without hesitation the Chinaman re cited the circumstances, beginning with the note by which he had been summoned. "A note?" repeated Kennedy, ea gerly. "Was it typewritten?" Long Sin reached into his pocket and produced the note itself, which he had not burned. As Craig studied 'the typewritten message from the Clutching Hand 1 could see that he was growing more and more excited. "At last he has given us something typewritten." he exclaimed "To most people. I suppose, it seems that type writing is the best way to conceal identity. But there are a thousand and one ways of identifying typewrit ing. "Look. Walter." he remarked at length, taking a fine tipped pencil and pointing at the distinguishing marks as he talked. "You will notice that all the T's' in this note are bat tered and faint as well as just a trifle out of alignment. Now I will place the paper from the bomb under the micro scope and you will see that the 'T's' in the scrap of formula have exactly the same appearance." I strained my eyes to look. Sure enough. Kennedy was right. There was that unmistakable identity be tween the T's in the formula and the note. Kennedy had been gazing at the floor, his face puckered in thought as I looked. Suddenly he clapped his hands together, as if he had made a great discovery. "I've struck It!" he exclaimed. Jump ing up. "I was wondering where I had seen typewriting that reminds me of this. Walter, get on your coat and hat. We are on the right trail at last." With Long Sin we hurried out of the laboratory, leaving him at the nearest taxicab stand, where we jumped into a waiting car. "It is the clue of the battered T's.' " Craig muttered. Aunt Josephine was in the library knitting when the butler. Jennings, an- 1 nounced us. "Where is—Miss Dodge?" inquired Kennedy, with suppressed excitement as we entered. "I think 6he's out shopping, and I don't know just when she will be back." answered Aunt Josephine, with some surprise. "Why? Is it anything important—any news?" "Very important." returned Kennedy excitedly. "I think I have the best clue yet. Only—it will be necessary to look through some of the household correspondence immediately to see whether there are certain letters. I wouldn't be surprised if she had some —perhaps not very personal—but I must see them." Kennedy lost no time. He went to a desk where Elaine generally sat, and quickly took out several type written letters. One after another he examined them closely, rejecting one after another, until finally he came to one thst seemed to interest him. He separated it from the rest and fell to studying it, comparing it with the paper from the bomb and the note which Long Sin had received from the Clutching Hand. Then he folded the letter so that the signa ture and the address could not be read by us. A portion of the letter I recall read something like this: "This Is his contention: Whereas. TRUTH Is the only goal and MATTER is non-existent—" Look at this, Walter," remarked Craig, with difficulty restraining him self. "What do you make of It?" A glance at the typewriting was suf ficient to show me that Kennedy had, indeed, made an important discovery. We stared at each other almost too dazed to speak. HARRIRBTJRG STAR-INDEPENDENT, WEDNESDAY EVENING. MAY 19, 1915 At that moment w« were startled by the sudden appearance of Blaine. She entered the room carrying in her arms a huge bunch of roees which the had eYidently just received. The moment sha saw Craig, how ever, she stopped short with a look of great surprise. Her keen eye had not missed the fact that several of her letters lay scattered over the top of the desk. "What are you doing with my let ters, Mr. Kennedy?" she asked, in an astonished tone, evidently resenting the unceremoniousness with which he had apparently been overhauling her correspondence. As guardedly as possible, Kennedy met her Inquiry, which I could not myself blame her for making. "I beg your pardon. Miss Dodge," he said, "but a matter has just come up which necessitated merely a cur sory examination of some purely for ms! letters which might have an im portant bearing on the discovery of the Clutching Hand. Your aunt had no idea where you were, nor when you might return, and the absolute neces sity for haste In such an important matter is my only excuse for examin ing a few minor letters without first obtaining your permission." She said nothing. At another time such an explanation would have been instantly accepted. Now. however, it was different. Kenuedy read the look on her face and an instant later turned to Aunt Josephine and myself. "I would very much appreciate a chance to say a few words to Miss Dodge alone," he intimated. "I have had no such opportunity for some time. If you would be so kind as to leave us in the library—for a few min utes —" He did not -finish the sentence. Aunt Josephine had already begun to withdraw and I followed. For a moment or two Craig and Elaine looked at each otlvfr, neither saying a word, each wondering just what was in the other's mind. Craig cleared his throat, the obvious manner of covering up his emotion. "Elaine." he said at length, dropping the recent return to "Miss Dodge." for the moment, "Elaine, is there any truth in this morning's newspaper re port of—of you?" She had dropped her eyes. But he persisted, taking a newspaper clipping from his pocket and handing it to her Her hand trembled as she glanced over the item; SOCIETY NOTES. Dame Rumor is connecting the name of Miss Elaine Dodge, the heiress, with that of Perry Ben nett. the famous young lawyer. The announcement of- an engage ment between them at any time would not surprise. Elaine read no farther. She handed back the clipping to Kennedy. As her eyes met his she noticed his expres sion of deep concern, and hesitated with thf reply she had evidently been just about to make. Still, as she lowered her head, it seemed to give silent confirmation to the truth of the newspaper report. Kennedy sa ! rt nothing, but his eyes continued to sU'dy her face. He suppressed fcis feelings with a great effort then, without a word, bowed and left the room. "Walter," h* exclaimed as he re joined us in the drawing room, where I was chatting with Aunt Josephine, "we must be off again. The trail fol lows still farther." An hour or so later. Elaine, whose mind was new in a whirl from what had happened, decided to make a call on her lawyer nutl the confidant of her father. Perry Bennett. As Elaine entered his private office. Bennett rose to greet her effusively and they exchanged a few words. "I mustn't forget to thank you for those lovely roses you sent me," she exclaimed at length. "They were beautiful, and I appreciated them ever so much." A moment later Bennett led the conversation around until he found an opportunity to make a tactful allusion to the report of their engagement in the morning papers. He had leaned over, nnd now at tempted to take her hand. She with drew it, however. There was some thing abo U his touch which, try as she might, she could not like. Was it mere prejudice or was it her keen woman's Intuition? Bennett looked at her a moment, suppressing a momentary flash of an ger that had reddened his face, and controlled himself as if by a super human effort believe you really love that man Kennedy," he exclaimed in a tone that was almost a hiss. "But I tell you, Elaine, he is all bluff. Why, he has been after that Clutching Hand now for three months —and what has he accomplished? Nothing!" He paused. Through Elaine's mind there flashed the contrast with Ken nedy's even temper and deferential manner. Bennett, by another effort, seemed to grip his temper again. He paced up and down the room. Then he changed the subject abruptly, and the conversation was resumed with some constraint While Elaine and Bennett were talk ing Kennedy and I had entered the of fice. Craig stopped the boy who was about to announce us aioro in "Dipio | maoy." | Friday evening, May 20, Christie Mac Donald in "Sweethearts." 1 Thrus lay evening, May 27, Christie 1 Mui'Donald in "•Sweethearts." COLON 1 AX. I.very afternoon and evening, vninl« villi- and pictures. VICTORIA | Million Pictures. THOTOPLAX Motion I"icttiros. KEGENT Mulion Pictures. PALACE Moving Pictures. V I ———————— Gillette-Bates-Doro To-night William Gillette. Blanche Bites, Marie Doro and a deliberately chosen company of brilliant artists will be seen here together in a revival of Vis torien Sardou's celebrated drama. "Diplomacy," at the Majestic this evening. This is Charles Erohimn's most important dramatic offering of the present season. It took no little pains and "diplomacy" to bring about this association of stars. Ea?h of the principal players has been absent from the local stage for some time—Mr. Gillette has not played hereabouts since he appeared in some of his own dramas and comedies; Miss Hates has been too long missing from the 10-al board, and Mies Doro has been playing "Dora," the part that she will enact here, in support of Ger ald du Maurier, in London.—Adv * Christie Mac Donald While "Sweethearts," the opera in which Christie Mac Donald is to be seen at the Majestic Thursday evening, May 27. does not depend upon its scenic investiture or costuming for it* success, these are notable features of the production. What is perhaps more to the point the company is heralded as one of the best singing organizations which has toured America since the days of the old Bostonians. The coin- pany numbers seventy-five and this is said to be the best opera in which Miss Ma Donald lias appeared. Victor Her bert wrote the music.—Adv.* Final Country Store To-night The <. olonial theatre is going to have the final Country Store of the present season to-night." As was the case last year, the Country Store will be drop ped for the summer months. In it« stead next week on Wednesdav nuht the Colonial will have the first in a series of try-out nights, in which local acts that feel that they are good enough for the professional stage will compete for $l5O in prizes. A general invitation is extended to all local per formers to enter this contest. It may lead the way to permanent work on the stage. The final country store to night will be a rousing wind-up to one of the best comedy features ever intro duced in the Colonial. The regular bill at the Colonial these days is a good one, headed by Willard,* the man of mystery, who grows from a man to a big man while the audience looks on. To-morrow a new bill comes to the Colonial for the balance of the week. It will be headed by the College Girls. Adv.* Victoria Theatre The musical selections, as announced in our theatre program and played by Profs. 'Mcßride and Mcintosh", have surely been appreciated, for from all sides we are hearing favorable com ment. Giving the high-class motion picture entertainment such as this thea tre affords, a series of classical musical numbers are rendered, interspersed, of course* with music that is suitable to or carries out the action idea of the pic ture. To-day's motion picture bill is one of exceptional merit and is in keep ing with our idea to present onlv the highest possible type of pictures. "The Human Otopus," a two-part K. B. pro duction, that teaches a strong lesson, will be shown to-day, as well as sev eral other equally forceful plays. Adv.* Edward Abeles in "After Five" at the Regent To-day and To-morrow Jesse L. Lasky presents Edward Abeles at the Regent theatre this aft ernoon and evening, who made his first notable screen success under Lasky's management in "Brewster's Million," in a new photo dramatic comedy with the money motive entitled, "After Five," in five reels. This play, which is the joint work of Cecil B.'DeMille and \\ illiam C. DeMille, finds humor in things and conditions generally asso ciated with tragedy. Remember, citi zens of iHarrisburg, that the moving Fackler's Big Store on the Hill Offers Furniture Values That Never Vary Dependability is everything in furniture buying. It is ahvavs a satisfaction to feel that every purchase you make is bona-fide value. We believe it impossible for you to obtain better furniture values than we are offering, or a greater as sortment foui which to choose. Our values are dollar for dollar all the time. The price plainly marked enables you to choose quickly and wisely. OUR BEDROOM FURNITURE has always been one of our strongest talking points. For variety of style we have probably one of the largest departments in the city. The prices are ahvavs exceptionally reasonable and the quality is first class. ~ 1 1 This solid Mahogany Four-poster Suite consists of Dresser, Chiffonier. Toilet I able and Bed. Hie suite for $169.00. Chairs to match. We have other suites of same style at lower prices. This Colonial Suite is Solid Mahogany or Mahogany Veneer, or American \\ alnut and Circassian Walnut at prices you must see to appreciate. We are showing a beautiful four-piece ivory suite with chairs to match. The style of this suite is exceptionally good. Would be a great asset in beautifving your home. Only $152.50. J LIBRARY OR LIVING ROOM pockets at ends. Only $20.00. See our fVN three-piece suites to match this table. We \ are showing a large variety of tables and suites in all woods. AVe are sure we can U please you in a living room suite. These Porch Shades have proved to be the ~ best shade on the market. Let us show you % 13 i everything for the porch. Crex in all widths and ■ ■■ H | Crex Rugs. j||p||lp6|a fcS Porch sets in cane seats and back. Reed ifllifrfrlij f% | seats and back and bent wood seats at way-down | /|| | Don't miss getting one of the big value | rjj Porch Rockers, only $1.59 | «| REFRIGERATORS Cold storage and Baldwin Refrigerators are y§\ leaders. All white porcelain lined, at all prices. \ I Lest you forget—We have a large stock of Whit- * ' tall rugs-—the very best the market has to offer. £ /*k/"k¥ IV/f Ar> Also a bit? reduction in Killmarnoek Wool Rugs. V"!/ jL/iTI V Let us show them to you. WIND- SAFE w . w i qi . , T . PORCH SHADES oee us tor \oui Window Shades and Liu- Beautiful,Effective,Durable oleums. Don't Flap in the Wind Come to this '"BIG" STORE and you will be one of our many valued and satisfied customers. FACKLER'S, 1312 Derry St. L pictures shown in this theatre other cit ies charge 25c to Jl. This theatre has exclusive service and after showing here will not be shown in any other theatre in this city. It doesn't matter what night you are coming, you will always be pleased. Paramount is the 'rade-niark of our films. The same word of Paramount applies to our thea tre. We do not give you a long, tiresome, disgusting subject. It might not be as long in movies, "but we give you quality." Adv.* William Penn Theatre The regular patrons of this beauti ful motion picture house were greatly delighted by the class and character of the pictures shown the first two days under the new management. The Wil liam fenn theatre is now under the same management as the popular Vic toria theatre, and many nfcw features have already been planned that will af ford the movie fan who has been ac customed to going to this theatre all the charms and pleasures that have thus far been inaugurated in motion picture houses. Only the highest class of pictures will be shown and tho same liberal policy which has steadily forged the Victoria to the front as Harris burg's most up-to-date and modern theatre. Adv.* Dyspepsia Tablets Will Relieve Your Indigestion George A. Oorgis SIO,OOO COATESVJLLE FIRE Business Block Threatened During Liv ery Stable Blaze Coiftesville, Pa., May 19.—Fire of ! unknown origin, that started in the haymow, completely gutterl Thomas | Xash's livery stable and threatened the | business block of this town early yes i terday morning. Firemen confined the i flames to the one building and sr.ved the [Speakman hotel and other business houses. The loss is >io,ooo, partially ! (fovcred by insurance. The building was I owned by C. N. Speakman. The second floor front was occupied as a paint shop and when the flames reached there the skies were illuminated i and the reflection could 'be seen for ! miles. Charles Noll, in charge, asleep in the office, was aroused. Ille ran into the staole and rescued fifteen head /; horses. Cutting the halter straps with a whip he drove the horses out of the stable through the flames into the street. While the fire was raging volunteer firemen, members of the Washington and tßrandywine fire com panies, went down with a portion of the falling roof. The men were quickly rescued and save a few bruises were un hurt. MAY LOSE VAN DERtBILT TAX Will to Be Probated in Newport, Not Here, It Is Said Albany, May 19. —It was reported here last night "that the estate of Alfred Gwvnne Vanderbilt will not pay an in heritance tax in New York. The will is to be probated in Newport, and the claim will be made that Newport was Mr. Vanderbilt's home, it is said. The Vanderbilt estate inheritance tax would amount to about $3,500,000, ac cording to estimates. AUTO BARS SLAVERY CHARGE Baltimore, -May 19. —C. Robert Kopp, 52 years old, a patent medicine manu facturer of York, Pa., was arrested here yesterday at the instance of his wife. With him was Ruth M. Savlcr, 17 years old. They came together from York in an automobile, the girl being a li censed chauffeur. The government agent said Kopp would not be charged with violating the white slave act because he had brought the girl in an automobile and not in a cominoii carrier. -> CHEAP MOTH BAGS DON'T LAST—GET A GOOD ONE CEDARMOTH PROOF BAGS AIR TIGHT—DUST PROOF Germ and moisture proof. Do signed to provide perfect protec tion for all articles of apparel, FURS AND FABRICS against moths, insects, mice, etc. «Oc I 75c 24x37 30x50 inches. inches. 8.% c ! SI.OO 30x60 | 30x70 inches. 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