"Yes! Will you have some coffee?" 

 "Thank you. I had some before I came here. Will you—" he extended the case of cigarettes, which Caranby declined. 

 "Ring for Fletcher to get me my chibouque." 

 "It is in the corner. We will dispense with Fletcher with your permission."  And Cuthbert brought the chibouque to his uncle's side. In another minute the old man was smoking as gravely as any Turk. This method of consuming tobacco was another eccentricity. For a few moments neither spoke. Then Caranby broke the silence. 

 "So you want me to help you to find out Mrs. Octagon's reason?" 

 "I do," said Mallow, rather surprised by Caranby's perspicuity. 

 "What makes you think I can explain?" 

 Cuthbert looked at his cigarette.  "I asked you on the chance that you may be able to do so," he said gravely.  "The fact is, to be frank, Mrs. Octagon appears to think you might have something to do with the crime." 

 Caranby did not seem surprised, but smoked imperturbably.  "I don't quite understand." 

 The young man related how Mrs. Octagon had inquired if the Earl was back from the Continent, and her subsequent remark. "Of course I may be unduly suspicious," said he.  "But it suggested—" 

 "Quite so," interrupted the old gentleman gravely.  "You are quick at putting two and two together. Isabella Octagon hates me so much that she would gladly see me on the scaffold. I am not astonished that she suspects me." 

 "But what motive can she impute—" 

 Caranby laid aside the long coil he was holding and laughed quietly to himself.  "Oh, she'll find a motive if it suits her. But what I cannot understand is, why she should accuse me now. She has had ample opportunity during the past twenty years, since the death of Miss Saul, for instance." 

 "She did not exactly accuse you." 

 "No, a woman like that would not. And then of course, her sister dying only last night affords her the opportunity of getting me into trouble. But I am afraid Mrs. Octagon will be disappointed of her revenge, long though she has waited." 

 "Revenge! remember, sir, she is the mother of Juliet." 

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