Down into the cellar, by a back way, they went, Clutching Hand
still wearing his 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, for even one who is in the
power of a 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 his 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 left it
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.
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