"They've gone out," he muttered, "but surely there is someone in
the Dodge library."
I listened; too. The thing was so sensitive that even a whisper
could be magnified and I certainly did hear something.
Kennedy frowned. What was that scratching noise? Could it be
Jennings? Perhaps it was Rusty.
Just then we could distinguish a sound as though someone had moved
about.
"No--that's not Jennings," cried Craig. "He went out."
He looked at me a moment. The same stealthy noise was repeated.
"It's the Clutching Hand!" he exclaimed excitedly.
. . . . . . . .
A moment later, Dan hurried into the Dodge library.
"For heaven's sake, Chief, hurry!" he whispered hoarsely. "The
falsers must have fallen down. The girl herself is coming!"
Dan himself had no time to waste. He retreated into the hallway
just as Jennings was opening the door for Elaine.
Marie took her wraps and left her, while Elaine handed her
numerous packages to Jennings. Dan watched every motion.
"Put them away, Jennings," she said softly.
Jennings had obeyed and gone upstairs. Elaine moved toward the
library. Dan took a quiet step or two behind her, in the same
direction.
In the library, Clutching Hand was now frantically searching for
the spring. He heard Elaine coming and dodged behind the curtains
again just as she entered.
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