"
"Weepy Mary" smiled cynically. "Come with me and I will show you
the church records and the minister who 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, "Weepy Mary," her
son, and Elaine went out to call a taxicab 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 rap,
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?" growled the Clutching Hand. "Quick--now--
get on those clothes. I heard the train whistle as I came in the
car.
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