New Britain herald., 1922-09-27
The Scene Allen Drake Carefully
 Staged.


 Even Allen Drake, with all his ar. rogance. does not dispute Lillian when her tone holds the fnality which we heard in il as she asserted that l was going into the library with the rest of them, That he was furious I guessed, but his answer was icily in. different
 AS you wish" he said curtly Then he turned and walked down the stairs without waiting for the rest of us. My father followed with q troubled look at me, and l knew that he had read subtle hint of danger for me in Allen Drake's demur at my pres ence, But Lillian put her lips to my ear and whispered geefully;
 That's one for Mama's darling pet And isn't he biting the atmosphere z"
 l could not suppress a chuckle at the characterization, though l was panic-stricken for fear Mir. Drake had heard it. But if his Jars had caught the sound, he gave no indication of IL. Indeed, when we entered the library he seemed to have shed all temper and pettiness. He was once more the keen-eyed traeker of crim- inals and their deeds, with no appar- ant though for anything else in the world save the task in hand
 Madge Braces Herself.
 The chilled sensation which had come to me at the sight of Smiths bound figure shilling down the stairs, returned to me intensified, as, crossing the threshold of the library, found myself directly facing him. The se- cret service operatives had placed his bound figure in big armchair, which whether by accident or because or their sense of the dramatic-was placed in the center of the room.
 His feet, resting upon the floor, were strained as far apart as the bonds which had been loosened for walking would permit, and there was the same effect of struggle against his shackles in every line of his limbs and torso. And in his eyes, blazing with futile anger, there was such maievol- ence that I, encountering them. and fancying that their expression intensi- fled at the sight of me. had all I could do to keep from turning in ut ter panic and dashing from the room.
 Pride of Lillian's confidence in me braced me as effectually, however, as did my fear that Allen Drake might discover my weakness So I walked steadily to chair in a corner of the room, managing even to keep my eyes naturally on Smith until I passed beyond his angle of vision.
 NOnchaIant Question
 My father followed me closely and drew a chair near mine, but Lillian stopped just inside the door, where Allen Drake was standing. I saw clearly that my father and I were to be but supernumeraries in the scene now staging, while Allen, Lillian and Smith were to have the leading roles
 You may go now, boys" MT Drake said abruptly to the men who had brought Smith downstair. Go out on the veranda and smoke if you like. I'll call you when I want you"
 The men went quietly out of the room, and Allen Drake closed the door after them, locked if, then drew al chair forward for Lillian. But she shook her head slightly in the mega tive, and he did not persist in his offer. ." ....
 I think he knew, as I did, that Lil- lian in any tense moment is always upon her feet. When she is thinking out a problem she sits well forward | in her chair her elbows upon it's arms, her chin cupper, n her palms, | but action brings her upright, usual | ly sets her pacing to and fro with short swift steps.
 She did not walk at this moment, | however. Instead, she leaned over so slightly forward. her hands clasped loosely in front of her, and watched Smith narrowly. And while he had | regarded me with undisguised male | violence, and was palpaby enraged at Allen Drake, I noticed that he kept his eyes carefully ayerted from Lil- | lian.
 MT Drake sauntered lazily to the mante over the fireplace, from which point he was enabled 10 tower over Smith, and look directly down into the mans face-I had a sudden Illuminating notion whose orders were respon~il,'~ r 9laCing of smiths chair-and he rested his el | bow upon tue p.le nOnchai- | ant, apparently ,ndoient fashion which | he often affects.
 I wondered tensely what would be the first words he would utter to the bound man before him, but instead of