South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-01
WHAT HAPPENED AS THEY
WAITED TO SPRING THE
TRAP?

] WAITED III SfhlNO lhE
TRAP?
Ny mother-in-law wasted few
! words is settling Cousin Agatha's
hash" when Lillian had apprised
her OF the necessity OF doing so.
Agatha" she said when that an
| cient damsel stood visibly trembling
before her, I've stood a good deal
/ from you first and last. But now
| that your shopping around has end
ed in your finding out something
which might do harm. I'm going to
take a hand You march right back
with me TO Katie's room, and you
leave il again only over my dead
body until Mrs. Underwood gives the
word. Now march,!
And Agatha. with a martyr-like
sniff. meekly marched.
II hate 10 miss the shindig." my
mother-in- law said TO Lillian as she
prepared TO follow her recreant kins-
woman. but I guess I'll be of more
use this way"
81 take off my best chapeauX to
that old lady" Lillian remarked
when she was out of hearing. And
I'm so relieved that she isn't to be
in at the final roundup. Wen have
enough to do without taking care of
non-combatants."
81 wonder what Kate will do"
remarked. TO hide my sensitive con-
seriousness that a non-combatant was
what would be reckoned.
eco straight to Harry as soon as
| he gets a chance" Lillian replied
and there was bitterness in her voice
But Drake has something up his
sleeve for Kato, and that reminds
me, he wants you 20 come over
| there, partly, imagine. to see him
! spring II. Drake isn't without lit
tie masculine vanity, l suspect, and
not particularly averse to showing
| off a bit before you. So as / can't
leave here, and someone must be
| there. you'll have to go. I'll keep
Allis busy in the kitchen while you
slip out the side door. And don't
come back until 1 send William for
you"
I obeyed her without question. and
found my father, DR.. Petit and AL
len Drake smoking comfortably in
the library.
L barely had a chance TO tell them
of Kato's discovery of the hidden
paper. when the Asiatic's deferen-
tial knock was heard at the door.
Allen Drake quickly rose and placed
himself in such a position that the
servant wouldn't see him until he
was we'll within the room.
Il like go out little while" Kato
began, and then
Allen Drake reached out slender
but sinewy hand, grasped him by the
jacket collar and turned Kato around
until he faced him.
Then was that stolid face comfort
ed with a most terrible fear, fear
| thing beyond ordinary understand
ing. Mr.. Drake held him taut for
/ two or three long minutes, silently
gazing at him. Then he spoke
rapidly in a iargon unintelligible TO
us, but which Kato evidently well
| understood. At the end Mr.. Drake
asked two or three short. sharp
| questions, which the Asiatic answer
ed submissively. Then Mr.. Drake
led him to the door, took his hand
from the others collar. and deftly.
| forcibly kicked him into the corri-
dor and closed the door.
\ Flashlights Rays.
Hes our man now, body and
soul" he said. a little hooking light
of triumph in his eyes, and busting
his hands with his handkerchief as
| II he had touched something un-
] clean. Because Of something that
happened years ago when he was
with me. he believes in his supersti-
! tious soul that I am in league with
the devil, and can bring down all
sorts of torments upon his devoted
head. So he will obey me implicit
" He hasgone to his employers
now with instructions TO bring them
here tomorrow night at a half hour
past midnight, and when he comes
back here 1 will instruct him just
how to get them in the house. In
every detail they will dance like pup
pets at our bidding"
The prophecy came back to me
The next night after midnight, when
stood tense in the little alcove off
my mother-in-law's room, the heavy
curtains shrouding ii in darkness.
Lillian had placed me there with the
injunction to watch the stairway
from the library. although we had
recovered the keys and both doors
were locked. l knew that il was
subterfuge 10 get me out Of the way