". . . Roger Axton is married to Judith Varlins, and I envy him his noble wife. They have not much money, but still manage to live moderately well on Roger's income, in a pretty cottage at Hampstead. I dined there last Sunday, and Roger showed me the MS. of his new novel, which is so good that I predict a success. But who can tell if it will be a success? The public? No. The publishers? No. Not even the critics. At all events, Roger and his dear wife are very happy--so happy, indeed, that I think I must follow their example. But where will I find a wife like Judith? . . . ". . . The last I heard of Mr. Spolger was that he had taken up his abode at Malvern to drink the waters. He is still ill, and still trying new medicines. The Soother is selling very largely, and every one takes it--except the proprietor. . . . ". . . As to Japix, well, I saw him two weeks ago, and we had a little conversation over the Jarlchester affair. It arose out of a simple remark of mine. . . . "'One thing puzzles me,' I said, 'in reference to the Jarlchester case, how such a shallow little piece of frivolity as Florry Marson could carry out her plans so cleverly.' "'The cunning of madness,' replied Japix, after a pause. 'I told you her mother was mad, and of course it broke out in her. Clever? I should think she was. Do you remember how cleverly she acted about Melstane, saying that she loved him, and all the rest of it, yet all the time she knew he had death in that pill-box?' "'If she had been a strong-minded woman--' "'If she had been, my dear boy, she very likely would not have committed the crime. It is your shallow-brained beings that commit most crimes. The least shock sends their weak heads off the balance, and they don't know what they are doing. In this case, however, as I've told you a dozen times, it was hereditary insanity.' "'A strange case!' "'A very strange case, and what a noble woman Mrs. Axton is! By the way, how is Mrs. Axton? I've not been to see them yet.' "'Mrs. Axton,' I replied, solemnly, 'is quite well, but is expecting an interesting event. They are going to call him Octavius after me.' "Japix roared like a Bull of Bashan. "'You seem pretty certain about the sex,' he observed, wiping his eyes; 'but fancy calling the first child Octavius, which means eighth. It's like a riddle.' "'And why not? The whole marriage arose out of a riddle.' "'How so?' "'The Jarlchester Mystery.' "'Well, you've found out your riddle,' said Japix, coolly; 'but, as you can't guess how such a frivolous girl as Florry could commit such a clever murder, it's a riddle to you still.' "'It is! Let us put it in the form of an epigram.' "'Proceed.' "'This is a riddle! Guess it. 'Tis still a riddle!' "'Humph! Author?' "'Myself.' "'I thought so,' said Japix, rudely, and departed." THE END End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Monsieur Judas, by Fergus Hume