She heard the bell ring at eleven, and found aunt dead in the
sitting-room, stabbed to the heart."
"Heard the bell ring?" echoed Juliet. "But how could aunt
ring if she had been killed?"
"She might have rung as she was dying," said Basil, after a
pause. "It seems she was seated near the button of the bell
and could have touched it without rising. 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. He reported that all was quiet."
"Then the assassin might have rung the bell at eleven," said
Peter.
"Certainly not, for he could never have escaped immediately
afterwards, without the policeman seeing him."
"He might have got out by the back," suggested Juliet.
"My dear girl, what are you thinking of. That wall round Lord
Caranby's mansion blocks any exit at the back. Anyone leaving
the house must go up the lane or through that part at the
bottom.
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