On hearing of the death of her sister, Mrs.Octagon suddenly changed her mind, and told me that the marriage could not take place." "Did she give any reason ?" "She declined to do so." "The same woman," muttered Caranby, "always mysterious and unsatisfactory.

You say her sister is dead ?" Cuthbert cast a look at the Globe, which lay on a small table near Caranby's elbow.

"If you have read the papers, sir--" "Yes! I have read that Miss Loach has been murdered.

You went down to Rexton to-day.

I presume you heard something more than the details set forth by the press." Cuthbert nodded.