With a hasty look about, she saw no one. Then she went quickly to
the panel, found the spring, and pressed it. So many queer things
had happened to her since she went out that she had begun to worry
over the safety of the papers.
The panel opened. They were there, all right. She opened the box
and took them out, hesitating to break the seal before Kennedy
arrived.
Stealthy and tiger-like the Clutching Hand crept up behind her. As
he did so, Dan gazed in through the portieres from the hall.
With a spring, Clutching Hand leaped at Elaine, snatching at the
papers. Elaine clung to them tenaciously in spite of the surprise,
and they struggled for them, Clutching Hand holding one hand over
her mouth to prevent her screaming. Instantly Dan was there,
aiding his chief.
"Choke her! Strangle her! Don't let her scream!" he ground out.
They fought viciously. Would they succeed? It was two desperate,
unscrupulous men against one frail girl.
Suddenly, from the man in armor in the corner, as if by a miracle
came a deep, loud voice.
"Help! Help! Murder! Police! They are strangling me!"
The effect was terrific.
Clutching Hand and Dan, hardened in crime as they were, fell back,
dazed, overcome for the moment at the startling effect.
They looked about. Not a soul.
Then to their utter consternation, from the vizor of the helmet
again came the deep, vibrating warning.
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