The Mystery of M. Felix

and eyes helplessly around, and moan for the police. Our reporter is a man of resource, quick-wi

se of crying for the police? Have they assis

dlemore, adding inconsequentially, 'b

s; and whatever other people may say, I am sure you spoke the truth.' Our reporter observed something frightened in the look she cast at him as he made th

want. But where

tice. They haven't any interested motives to serve; they didn't know the dead man, who some people say was murdered, and some people say wasn't. I

cowed Mrs.

, you know I a

like the opportunity to silence the wretc

id of me? What 'ave

sting out of their tails. Besides, while you are working in the cause of innocence

her cupidity s

er it is. I'm a innocent woman,

oked upon as a heroine, and everybody will be running to shake hands with you. People will say, "There, that's the woman that brought to light the truth about M. Felix.

Let them. We are thoroughly satisfied with the means he employed, and we offer him our sincere thanks. There is not a move we make in this mystery which is not made in t

ant me to do?' ask

uestions. I have my reasons for believing that the police

ve, sir,

e you are advised to sit in a corner without uttering a single word in your own defence.

of whose scruples seemed to have vanish

t night. Which door? There are two, one leading to the first floor landing, one communicating

erstand me. I mean that I fastened both of 'em. I couldn't lock 'em because the

ocksmith. Who took away

ow. Perhaps

t your k

know noth

aving to you! Anyway, th

ing that Mrs. Middlemore had engaged the services of a regiment of soldiers to get her niece out of bed every morning.) 'Come up-stairs by myself in the dark,' continued Mrs. Middlemore, 'is more than I dare do. In the daylight I venture if I'm forced to, as I did a minute or two ago, because, though I shook Sophy till I almost shook 'er to pieces, and lifted 'er up in bed a

st night?' said our reporter. 'Your niece

d 'old of me that tight I cou

e into this r

side it. I left her in the passage while I pee

statement that the body of M. Fel

my word

ic. It is a good job you've put yourself in our hands; there's

s. Middlemore, in great distress. 'It's a provid

positive the body

word I ever had to sp

earing,' said our reporter

Middlemore. 'Do you think a dead man 'd be able

mile, 'but let us make sure the bo

nd the couches, and in every cupboard. Mrs. Middlemore follow

poker up, and then lit some paper in the stoves to see that

emarked Mrs. Middlemore, in a terrified

ates, so that there may be no possible chance of your getting into troub

there?' interrupted Mrs

any more than we can say how it got out of th

thing different,' ass

rring in London before. Where was I when you interrupted me? Oh, I was saying, suppose the body should be found in any other part of the house, what would the p

Middlemore. What wo

ter that you wouldn't have a moment's peace. My dear madam, we'll not give them a chance to

s, a

It's what the police would do, with the idea that you were a party to so

xamination of the entire house, from attic to basement, but, as he anticipated, discovered nothing. The last rooms h

girl called out, from a

ascibly. You're a nice lazy slut, you are, to

phy, making her appearance, 'I

t speak well for her social training. Her short hair was uncombed, her face unwashed, her frock open at the

h dressing, light the fire, and give yourself a good wash, and then

he room, and they proceeded upstairs

at the body of M. Felix is not in the house; but it must be somewhere. The question is--Where, and how it got

Ye

before you went do

up regularly

did so l

Ye

urned t

Ye

nd the chain up the fir

es-

you mean

member. I must be s

s putting up of the chain is one of the points upon which a great deal

x gone that I don't remember nothing till you came up to me at the street door.

lf-an-hour since I saw you. Your memory ca

memory about it tha

was not up, that the door either was or was not locked. Sit down and t

d thought of the matter, or said she did, she declared she

the least of it. There is no telling what con

ddlemore, looking imploringly at our rep

and innocent, but it is unfortunate. If you should happen to r

that. I don't know what

or a certainty, Mrs. Middlemore. You g

ight; I can't

in moderation, which I know is the case w

s, I

ou paid your last v

efore. You think

I can for you. Before you came up

Ye

ad some w

ot a twist on

tw

he eats as much

girls do. How

urte

t downstairs, you an

Ye

sleep in th

Ye

ame bed, m

that girl pulls the clot

go to bed at

me, and when I went in s

sound sleepe

thing 'appened, but now I p

rea

wfu

n't answer hastily. This i

ith a certain regret that she felt constrained to say, 'I think I must 'ave sl

ept very

e done, must

ody of M. Felix could not have been removed without a cer

thing. I'll take m

did you wake

eight, and I

t rather la

I've got no one

n any way distur

o,

tively hea

ing at

d So

wouldn't wake up if cannon-b

has she told you she he

at. I ain't 'ad

e no objection. Stop here for

I'll come down, and keep in the

Middlemore remained outside while

in the same state of untidiness as he had left her. She fell on her knees with a

Sophy?' said our r

at he was not going to scold her, rubbed her

replied, making no atte

ly humiliating to our reporter, who is a good-looking

, I suppose,' he s

ough as a matter of fact t

t me for?' asked our reporter. '

e, old 'un. When you wants to blush, you'd better 'ire so

first,' said our reporter, enteri

arder than ever at him, 'if you'd make it wuth my wh

served our reporter,

my clors. I'm reckonin' of yo

o you make o

re going to act mean. 'A

e hint, and gave the

as she tried the coin with her teeth.

orter, placing his hand on his

pon you

oul, if you

e, then. I'd soon

out six into Sophy's grimy palm. A seventh, by acci

keepin's,

And now what do

etticoat, tightening the knots with her teeth, which were as white as snow. 'That's my money-box,

at a

ody was found. Pickcher of the room where the body was laid. Pickcher of the body's bed. Pickcher of the body's slippe

d. But you must answer a

rene. Fi

night with your aunt af

s, I

ot go into

I di

you were f

frighten Sophy.' She added, with a sly

what mystified, 'then you

nd precious gla

e your be

ath

ou slee

ou

tter or worse than

ter, and

wake up in

ot

u heard n

her

ywhe

ear nothink.

hy. That is all

er was about to leave the kitchen, '

known to throw a chance away, 'here's my card; take care of it, and if you find out anything that you thin

. Anythink about M.

, any

t over.' Here Sophy dropped her v

you keep

holding out the little

I to do

you can. Never mind 'urting

phy went audibly through the e

hy, 'did I scream

ter, remembering the child's g

show I can ke

your aunt that I gave you my card,

'm

es, and made a pretence of being very hard at work

'erself to skin and bone. Ai