"Hello," I answered, for Craig was at work at his table, trying
still to extract some clue from the slender evidence thus far
elicited in the Dodge mystery.
"Oh, Mr. Kennedy," I heard an excited voice over the wire reply,
"my friend, Susie Martin is here. Her father has just received a
message from that Clutching Hand and--"
"Just a moment, Miss Dodge," I interrupted. "This is Mr. Jameson."
"Oh!" came back the voice, breathless and disappointed. "Let me
have Mr. Kennedy--quick."
I had already passed the telephone to Craig and was watching him
keenly as he listened over it. The anticipation of a message from
Elaine did not fade, yet his face grew grave as he listened.
He motioned to me for a pad and pencil that lay near me.
"Please read the letter again, slower, Miss Dodge," he asked,
adding, "There isn't time for me to see it--just yet. But I want
it exactly. You say it is made up of separate words and type cut
from newspapers and pasted on note paper?"
I handed him paper and pencil.
"All right now, Miss Dodge, go ahead."
As he wrote, he indicated to me by his eyes that he wanted me to
read. I did so:
"Sturtevant Martin, Jeweler, "739 1/2 Fifth Ave., "New York City.
"SIR:
"As you have failed to deliver the $10,000, I shall rob your main
diamond case at exactly noon today.
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