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.
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