Dan was washing the windows, half inside, half outside the house,
while Jennings was trying to be very busy, although it was
apparent that he was watching Dan closely.
"A friend of yours wants to speak to you over the telephone,
Jennings," said Marie, as she came into the library.
The butler responded slowly, with a covert glance at Dan.
No sooner had they gone, however, than Dan climbed all the way
into the room, ran to the door and looked after them. Then he ran
to the window. Across and down the street, the Clutching Hand was
gazing at the house. He had seen Dan disappear and suspected that
the time had come.
Sure enough, there was the sign of the hand. He hastily got out of
the car and hurried up the street. All this time the chauffeur was
keeping Jennings busy over the telephone with some trumped-up
story.
As the master criminal came in by the ladder through the open
window, Dan was on guard, listening down the hallway. A signal
from Dan, and Clutching Hand slid back of the portieres. Jennings
was returning.
"I've finished these windows," announced Dan as the butler
reappeared. "Now, I'll clean the hall windows."
Jennings followed like a shadow, taking the bucket.
No sooner had they gone than Clutching Hand stealthily came from
behind the portieres.
One of the maids was sweeping in the hall as Dan went toward the
window, about to wash it.
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