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276 this time; we haven't either of us left our rooms sines Saturday. It rather looks as though our family nemesis were working overtime, doesn't it?"

"Don't mention this to anyone else," Odell cautioned as he started hastily for the door. "It may be the very means of trapping the person we are after."

He passed out into the hall but paused for a moment, lost in thought. If Cissie was indeed being slowly poisoned, and the would-be murderer suspected that his secret was known, he would instantly cease his efforts, and the opportunity of proving his guilt would be irretrievably lost. Yet the girl must be protected and an antidote given to relieve her suffering. It might even be that one more dose would prove fatal! Dare he attempt dissimulation when her very life was perhaps in danger?

He advanced slowly to her closed door, and even as he paused before it with his hand uplifted to knock he heard her faint groans and Miss Meade's soothing voice in response. Another sound reached his ears also, the soft pad of feet up the back stairs; and he turned to find Peters coming toward him with a tray upon which a cup of broth steamed invitingly.

With instant decision the detective advanced and held out his hand. "That's for Miss Chalmers, isn't it, Peters?" he asked carelessly. "I'm just going to ask Miss Meade if she can spare a minute, and I'll hand it in to her myself."

He watched the butler narrowly, but Peters relinquished the tray without a moment's hesitation, and turning went downstairs again at his usual dignified gait.

Odell waited until he heard him descend the second flight