Dead!"

"Ah! _Mon Dieu_! Did it then kill her?" and Estelle's calm gave way and she screamed and moaned in wild hysterics.

"What can we do with her?" asked Anita, helplessly; "she must know all about the--the----"

"The murder," said Pauline calmly. "But she will tell us nothing. It is useless to question her. The Coroner will attend to it, anyway."

"The Coroner," and Anita looked frightened. "Will he question all of us?"

"Of course he will. And, Anita," Pauline whirled on her suddenly, "what are you going to say was the errand that took you to Aunt Lucy's room after one o'clock last night?"

"I! Nothing of the sort! I was not in her room after we left it together."

"I saw you. Don't trouble to deny it," and Pauline dropped her eyelids as one bored by a conversation.

"You did!" and Anita's flower face turned rosy pink and her blue eyes blazed with an intensity that Pauline's dark ones could never match. "Be careful, Pauline Stuart, or I shall tell what _I_ know! You _dare_ to make up such a story! It was _I_ who saw _you_ come from your aunt's room at a late hour! What have you to say now?"

"Nothing--to you," and Pauline swept from the room and returned slowly down the stairway to the second floor.

The sight of two police officers in the hall gave her a sudden start. How had they appeared, so soon? And how dreadful to see them in the palatial home that had heretofore housed only gentle-mannered aristocrats and obsequious liveried servants! The men looked ill at ease as they stood against the rich background of tapestry hangings and tropical palms, but their faces showed a stern appreciation of their duty, and they looked at Pauline with deferential but acute scrutiny.

Not noticing them in any way, the girl, her head held high, went straight to her aunt's room. Sergeant Flake was in charge, and he refused her admission.

"Coroner's orders, ma'am," he said; "he'll be here himself shortly, and then you can see him."

"Come away, Pauline," and Haviland appeared and took her by the arm; "where's Anita?"

"I left her in Estelle's room. Oh Gray, that girl----"

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