The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-07-07

The TWO Cinnamon Are Surprised to
alone. We walked into the conserva-
tory while the guests were crowding
around Long Sin. She seated herself
for the first time during the evening,
May get you an ice?" suggested
She thanked me, and 1 hurried off
AS passed through the drawing room
l did not notice that Long Sin had
managed to escape further congratu.
lations of the guests. Just then a wait
er passed through with ices on tray.
l called to him and he stopped.
A moment later Long Sin himself
took an ice from the tray and retreat
ed back of the portieres. No one was
about, and he hastily drew a bottle
from his pocket. On the bottle was a
Chinese label. He palmed the bottle,
and anyone who had CHANGED to see
him would have noticed that he passed
it two or three times over the ice, then,
lifting the portieres, entered the draw
ing room again.
He had made the circuit of the
rooms in such way as to bring him
|
smile he stopped before me, rubbing
both hands together.
ct is for Miss Elaine?" he asked.
nodded.
By this time several of the guests
who were fascinated with Long Sin
gathered about US. Long Sin futtered
open a Chinese fan which he had used
in his tricks, passed it over my hand,
and in some incomprehensible way
felt the plate with the ice literally dis
appear from my grasp. My face must
have shown my surprise. A burst OF
laughter from the other guests greeted
me. 1 looked at Long Sin, half angry,
yet unable to say anything, for the
joke was plainly on me. He smiled
made another pass with the fan, AID
instantly the plate with the ice was
back in my hand.
Meanwhile Kennedy had been NOV
ing from one to another of the guests
seeking Elaine. He had already taken
an ice from the waiter and was going
in the direction of the conservatory.
There he found her.
Wont you take this ice?" he asked
handing it to her.
ct is very kind of you," she said,
"but 1 have already sent Walter for
one.'
Kennedy insisted and she took it.
She had already started to eat it
when 1 appeared in the doorway.
Kennedy laughed, rather pleased at
having beaten me.
Never mind, Walter" he. said with
a smile, "I'1l take it. And er-I don't
think that Elaine will object if you
play the host for little while with
Aunt Josephine" he limited.
Kennedy, however, was not alone
Back in the palms in the conservatory
two beady black eyes were eagerly
watching.
Chatting with animation, Kennedy
tasted the ice. He had taken only a
couple of spoonfuls when a look OF
wonder and horror seemed to spread
over his face.
He rose quickly. A cold sweat
seemed to break out all over him. His
nerves almost refused to respond.
He took only few steps, began to
stagger, and finally sank down on the
floor.
Elaine screamed.
We rushed in from the library and
drawing room.
He had fallen near the fountain and
one hand dropped over into the water
AS he fell back he seemed to have
only just enough strength to withdraw
his hand from the fountain. On the
stone coping, slowly and laboriously
he moved his finger.
Whats the matter, old MANI"
asked, bending over him.
There was no answer, but he man
aged to turn his head, and 1 followed
the direction of his eyes.
With trembling finger he was trac
ing out, one by one, some letters.
looked and it flashed over me what he
meant. He had written with the water:
Digitalin-lab"-
jumped up and almost without q
word dashed out of the conservatory
down the hall and into the first cal
waiting outside.
ITO the laboratory" 1 directed, Civ
ing the driver the directions, land
drive like the deucel"
Fortunately there was no one to
stop US, and / know we broke all the
speed laws Of New York. / dashed
into the laboratory, almost broke
open the cabinet, and seized the bot
tie of digitalin and a hypodermic
syringe, then rushed madly out again
and into the car
Meanwhile some of the guests had
lifted up Kennedy, too excited to no
tice Long Sin in his hiding place
They had laid Craig down on a couch
and were endeavoring to revive him
Someone had already sent for a doc
tor, but the aconite was working
quickly on its victim
l scarcely waited for the car to
stop in front of the house. 1 opened
the door and rushed in.
Without a word 1 thrust the anti
dote and the syringe into the hands
of the doctor and he went to work
Immediately. We watched with anx-
iety. Finally Kennedy's eyes opened
and gradually his breathing seemed
to become more normal
The antidote had been given in time
=
Kennedy was considerably broken
up by the narrow escape which he
had had, and. naturally, even the next
morning, did not feel like himself.
In the excitement of leaving
Elaine's we he'd forgotten the bottle