"All right," he relented. "Now, do you see what I have just
thought of--no? This is just the chance. Look at me."
The heelers gathered around him, peering curiously at their master
as he worked at the bracelet watch.
Carefully he plied his hands to the job, regardless of time.
"There," he exclaimed at last, holding the watch up where they
could all see it. "See!"
He pulled out the stem to set the hands and slowly twisted it
between his thumb and finger. He turned the hands until they were
almost at the point of three o'clock.
Then he held the watch out where all could see it.
They bent closer and strained their eyes at the little second hand
ticking away merrily.
As the minute hand touched three, from the back of the case, as if
from the casing itself, a little needle, perhaps a quarter of an
inch, jumped out. It seemed to come from what looked like merely a
small inset in the decorations.
"You see what will happen at the hour of three?" he asked.
No one said a word, as he held up a vial which he had drawn from
his pocket. On it they could read the label, "Ricinus."
"One of the most powerful poisons in the world!" he exclaimed.
"Enough here to kill a regiment!"
They fairly gasped and looked at it with horror, exchanging
glances. Then they looked at him in awe. There was no wonder that
Clutching Hand kept them in line, once he had a crook in his
power.
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