acquaintance to come along to a supper party in a certain man's
rooms--finds his own wife acting as hostess. After the modern manner he
breaks no furniture, makes no scene; but in tense tones, aside, he
demands an explanation from her. She promises him an interview at their
home, the following day, at five. He refuses to wait; she insists. He
leaves. Events follow rapidly. The host has a stroke of apoplexy and
dies. A muddle-headed guest summons a police ambulance instead of a
hospital one. Police arrive, murder is suspected, every one is arrested.
There is a strong finale, with hints of astounding revelations to
come--in act three, of course.

The third act opens with a very tense atmosphere. Horton (Cartel), the
husband--unaware that his wife is under arrest, suspected of murder--comes
to his home, from the club, where he has spent a sleepless night. It is
nearly five o'clock, the hour of the interview. Business of excitement,
pacing, looking at watch. He rings for Mary, who enters.

"Where is Mrs. Horton, Mary?" he asks.

"Mrs. Horton telephoned she would be here at five o'clock, sir," answers
Mary, who, according to the playwright, then goes out. But Mary did not
exit.

"She hasn't been home all night, sir," she added suddenly, unexpectedly,
"and it may be that she is in some trouble."

Cartel turned a fierce frown upon her.

"That will do, Mary," he said, threateningly.

Mary threw herself at his feet.

"Oh, Mr. Horton, don't be hard on her! She may have been misled by this
man; but at heart she is a good woman--I could swear it."

Cartel was shaking with fury. He leaned over and grasped the prostrate
Mary by the arm, so hard that he nearly cracked her bones. "Ouch!" she
cried, "you're hurting me."

The audience slowly grasped the fact that this scene was a surprise to
Cartel. It was so still you could have heard a sigh. Mary resisted any
attempt to get her on her feet, and this side of carrying her off Cartel
was helpless.

"If you'd only make a confidante of me, Mr. Horton, I could be a help to
you in your hour of need," she cried passionately.

"Get out!" hissed Cartel, _sotto voce_.

"It looks as if she committed that murder, but I have facts to prove
that she did not."

The rest of the act was devoted to breaking the news of the murder to
Horton. In one fell line this demon had demolished the play. The
audience began to titter, to laugh, to roar! Cartel dragged Isabelle to
the door, and lit