suddenly dropped into her throne and, being a large fleshly
woman, her fall shook the room. Then she burst into tears.
"I never liked Selina," she sniffed, "even though she was my
own sister, but I am sorry--I am dreadfully--oh, dear me!
Poor Selina!"

By this time all the dramatic posing of Mrs. Octagon had gone
by the wall, and she showed herself in her true colors as a
kind-hearted woman. Juliet hurried to her mother and took one
of her hands. The elder woman started, even in the midst of
her tears. "My child, your hand is as cold as ice," she said
anxiously. "Are you ill."

"No," said the girl hurriedly and evidently trying to suppress
her emotion, "but this dreadful news! Do you remember what
you said?"

"Yes--but I never expected I would be a true prophetess,"
sobbed Mrs. Octagon. "Peter," with sudden tartness, "why
don't you give me the details. Poor Selina dead, and here am
I in ruby velvet!"

"There are not many details to give," said Peter, reading from
the newspaper, "the police are keeping quiet about the
matter."

"Who killed her?"

Juliet rose suddenly and turned on the electric light, so that
her step-father could see to read more clearly. "Yes," she