first, I suppose," Kelson inquired.

"Oh, no!" the girl replied, "she lives with us and we could never
endure the worry and trouble of nursing her. It must be something very
sudden."

"This will do it," Kelson said, giving her a locket containing the
mumia or essence of life of a mad dog; "fasten it round the old lady's
neck, and you will be astonished how soon it acts."

"And what is your fee?" the girl asked, her eyes brimming over with
joyous anticipation.

"For you--nothing," Kelson said gallantly. "Only tell no one. May I
kiss your hand."

The firm's sale of spells for getting rid of husbands having risen one
day to five hundred--and the sale of their spells for putting old
people out of the way to fifteen hundred--even Hamar, who was no
believer in the perfection of human nature, was astonished.

"My word!" he remarked. "Isn't this a revelation? Who would have
thought how many people have murder in their hearts? At least half
Society would, I believe, become homicides if only there were no
chance of their being found out and punished. Anyhow, if we go on at
this rate there will be no old people left."

And it did indeed seem as if such would be the case. For the moment
the idea got abroad that old people could be thrust out of existence
with absolute safety and ease, there was a perfect mania amongst men,
women, and even children, to get rid of them, and the deaths of people
over sixty recorded in the papers multiplied every day. The following
is an extract from the _Planet_ of July 28--

BOLT.--On July 27, at No. ---- Elgin Avenue, S.W., Emily Jane,
loved and venerated mother of Mary Bolt, M.D., in her 69th year.
Drowned in her bath. And all the Angels wept!

CUSHMAN.--On July 27, at No. ---- Sheep Street, Northampton, Sarah
Elizabeth, adored mother of Josiah Cushman, Plymouth Brother, in
her 88th year. Run over by a taxi. Joy in Heaven!

STARLING.--On July 27, at No. ---- Snargate Street, Dover, Susan,
highly esteemed and greatly beloved mother of Alfred Starling,
Wesleyan Minister, in her 71st year. Lost in the harbour. Asleep in
Jesus.

TRETICKLER.--On July 27, at No. ---- The Terrace, St. Ives,
Cornwall, Elizabeth, adored grandmother of Tobias Tretickler,
Congregationalist, in her 91st year. Fell over the Malatoff. "Oh,
Paradise! Oh, Paradise!"

BROOT.--On July 27, at Charlton House, Queen's Gate, S.W., Jane,
greatly beloved mothe