Startled, we all jumped to our feet. Craig hurried to the window.
Not a soul was in sight!

He stooped and picked up the stone. To it was attached a piece of
paper. Quickly he unfolded it and read:

"Craig Kennedy will give up his search for the "Clutching Hand"--
or die!"

Later I recalled that there seemed to be a slight noise
downstairs, as if at the cellar window through which the masked
man had entered the night before.

In point of fact, one who had been outside at the time might
actually have seen a sinister face at that cellar window, but to
us upstairs it was invisible. The face was that of the servant,
Michael.

Without another word Kennedy passed into the drawing room and took
his hat and coat. Both Elaine and Bennett followed.

"I'm afraid I must ask you to excuse me--for the present," Craig
apologized.

Elaine looked at him anxiously.

"You--you will not let that letter intimidate you?" she pleaded,
laying her soft white hand on his arm. "Oh, Mr. Kennedy," she
added, bravely keeping back the tears, "avenge him! All the money
in the world would be too little to pay--if only--"