aranby's remains being taken down to our family seat in Essex."

"There will be an inquest first."

"I don't mind. Maraquito is dead and nothing detrimental to the honor
of the Mallows can transpire. You need say nothing at the inquest as
to the bottle being thrown at Juliet."

"I'll do my best. But she will be questioned."

"I intend to see her this evening myself."

"What about Mrs. Octagon?"

"Oh," said the new Lord Caranby with a grim smile, "I intend to settle
Mrs. Octagon once and for all."

"Surely you don't intend to tell her of the murder."

"Certainly not. She would make the matter public at once. But her
knowledge of the real name of Emilia, and her hushing up of the murder
of her sister, will be quite enough to bring her to her knees. I don't
intend that Juliet shall have anything more to do with her mother. But
I'll say very little."

After this Cuthbert departed and took a hansom to the "Shrine of the
Muses." He arrived there at ten o'clock, and was informed by the
butler that Miss Saxon was in bed with a headache, and that Mrs.
Octagon had given orders that Mr. Mallow was not to be admitted. Basil
was out, and Mr. Octagon likewise. Cuthbert listened quietly, and then
gave the man, whom he knew well, half a sovereign. "Tell Mrs. Octagon
that Lord Caranby wishes to see her."

"Yes, sir, but I don't--"

"I am Lord Caranby. My uncle died this evening."

The butler opened his eyes. "Yes, m'lord," he said promptly, and
admitted Cuthbert into the hall. "I suppose I needn't say it is really
you, m'lord," he remarked, when the visitor was seated in the
drawing-room, "I am afraid the mistress will be angry."

"Don't trouble about that, Somes. Tell her Lord Caranby is here," and
the butler, bursting to tell the news in the servants' hall, went away
in a great hurry.

Cuthbert remained seated near the table on which stood an electric
lamp. He had the confession in his pocket, and smiled to think how
glad Mrs. Octagon would be to read it. However, he had quite enough
evidence to force her into decent behavior. He did not intend to leave
that room till he had Mrs. Octagon's free consent to the marriage and a
promise that she would go abroad for an indefinite period with her
hopeful son, Basil. In this way Cuthbert hoped to get rid of these
undesirable relatives and to start his married life in peace. "Nothing
less than exile will settle matters," he muttered.

Mrs. Octagon, in a gorg