She might have rung with a last effort, and then have died before the parlor-maid could get to the room." "Or else," said Mr.Octagon, anxious to prove his perspicuity, "the assassin may have stabbed her and then have touched the bell." "What!" cried his step-son derisively, "to summon a witness.

I don't think the assassin would be such a fool.

However, that's all that can be discovered.

Aunt Selina is dead, and no one knows who killed her." "Was the house locked up ?" "The front door was closed, and the windows were bolted and barred.

Besides, a policeman was walking down Crooked Lane a few minutes before eleven, and would have seen anyone leaving the house.