New Britain herald., 1922-09-09
The Report Allen Drake Gave
 Nadee and Lillian

If had not, seen his face l never would have recognized Allen Drake. Usually the most fastidious Of men, an elegant if ever man deserved the name the brillian diplomatic agent faced us with disheyelled hair and clothing splashed with water and greasy with ointment, while from his face-always pallid, but now gray and drawn-his eyes shot an imperative message at us. He wasted no time in preliminaries, but spoke sharply
 Which of you can best take Nun sons gun and guard Smith for few minutes?" he queried.
 Lillian answered him quickly.
 "I can" and I acquitted her of any self-conceit. She knew that she was better fitted by experience and train ing for such a duty, and characteris- tically she wasted no second of preci- ous time in false modesty.
 'Win He Live?"
 All right" Mir. Drake answered. 'Is the bed ready for Chester ?''
 Lillian swept her arm toward the bed in answer, and Dr. Drake nodded assent.
 Stay here, Mrs. Graham. till we bring him up he said You'd bet ter know He's unconscious. That's what we need the man guarding Smith for, to help carry him up.'
 Are you using stretcher?' Lil- Han turned from the door to make the inquiry.
 No. There isn't time. Besides, there aren't any broken bones or in ternal injuries, you know"
 Then let me suggest that Mrs. Graham help also,' Lillian suggested practically. Tt will take all three of you to carry him, and Mrs Graham can support his head.s
 Mir. Drake looked searehingly at me for a second, then nodded as if satisfied.
 Good idea" he said. Come along, Mrs Graham. I'll make just one proviso. You can help after we've brought him out of the kitchen. That kitchens no sight for anybody just now I'm going down and clean up after we get young Chester fixed in bed
 So efficiently did he coordinate his action and conversation that we were on the stairs by the time he had fn- ished speaking. Lillian put low voiced query:
 Will he live, Allen?"
 I strained my ears for the answer.
 God knows" he answered sober ly. He tainted with the pain, poor devi-I nearly keeled over myself I don't mind telling you. but he came out of that, then lapsed into uncon- sciousness again. The chiefs afraid | the poisons working but, of course, we can't tell yet.
 Lillians Plan.
 "Of course Smith knows what the poison is and it's antidote," Lillian said refectively.
 What's on your mind?" Allen | Drake turned to stare at her curi- ously.
 Nothing weighty," Lillian retorted But tell me"-she laid upon his arm as he started toward the kitchen-"is that stiletto still efficient from a Borgia | point of view?"
 Absolutely" he returned There's men. But look here you're spelling ! pet plan of mine. I had quite ! reckoned upon giving MT. Smith little persuasion with the primitive | kitchen remedies we were obliged to use on poor young Chester"
 Thre was sinister determination | In his tone which told me how relent-' less Allen Drake could be in averaging } wrong or punishing a crime. I was chilled at the knowledge, but Lillian only laughed lightly.
 Better leave it to me-" she said. Tt will be quicker, and not half so messy. Where is the stiletto?'
 "On the mantel with a paper under t. Be mighty careful in handling it.
 I'm not anxious to be singed, she -etorted. "I'll send Munson right put, and-dont send him back. don't mind you folks, but I'm not anxious for any curious witnesses in .he next half hour,'
 With a little wave of the hand she disappeared through the library door, and after a wait of a couple of min ltes. Munson, the operative, appeared with an apology for his delay.
 Mrs Underwood wanted to look ,ver Smiths bonds" he said. "and hen she had me take an extra half fitch on him. He's sure trussed up now for fair
 "He needs to be-" Allen Drake re- turned grimly. Come with me
 The two men went rapidly toward