Transcriber's Notes: 1. Page scan source: https://archive.org/details/36180099.2240.emory.edu (Emory University) [Illustration: Front Cover] MISS MEPHISTOPHELES. _A NOVEL_. (SEQUEL TO MADAME MIDAS.) BY FERGUS HUME, AUTHOR OF "THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB," "MADAME MIDAS," "THE PICCADILLY PUZZLE," ETC. _IN ONE VOLUME_. LONDON: F. V WHITE & CO., 31 SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, W.C. ----- 1890. [_All Rights reserved_.] CONTENTS CHAP. I. Faces in the Fire II. Keith meets with an Adventure III. Prince Carnival IV. Lazarus V. A Woman's Appeal VI. The Annoyance of Hiram J. Fenton VII. Mirth and Laughter VIII. A Mysterious Affair IX. An Unknown Benefactor X. Naball makes a Discovery XI. What Naball overheard XII. Naball tells a Story XIII. The Gossip of Clubs XIV. A Struggle for Fame XV. The Russell Street Crime XVI. The Inquest XVII. A Council of Three XVIII. Circumstantial Evidence XIX. A Lovers' Meeting XX. The Rivals XXI. A First Night at the Bon-Bon XXII. Eugénie _v_. Naball XXIII. The Cypher XXIV. What Kitty knew XXV. The Evidence of a Bank Note XXVI. On The Track XXVII. Meg proves Useful XXVIII. Malton makes a Discovery XXIX. Light at Last XXX. Exit Kitty Marchurst MISS MEPHISTOPHELES. CHAPTER I. FACES IN THE FIRE. A wet Sunday--dreary, dismal, and infinitely sloppy. Even the bells ringing the people into evening service seemed to feel the depressing influence of the weather, and their brazen voices sounded hoarse and grumbling, as if they rang under protest. Cold, too!--not a brisk sharp frost--for here in Melbourne frost and snow are unknown; but a persevering, insinuating, gnawing cold, just disagreeable enough to make one shiver and shake with anxiety to get home to a bright fire and dry clothes. Overhead a leaden-coloured sky, with great masses of black clouds, from out whose sombre bosoms poured the steady rain, splashing noisily on the shining roofs, and swelling the gutters in the streets to miniature torrents. And then the wind,--a gusty, chilly wind,--that came along unexpectedly, and drove the unwilling rain against the umbrellas of struggling pedestrians, or else took a mean advantage of its power, and turned their umbrellas inside out, with a shrill whistle of triumph. The steady light streamed out from the painted church windows, and the dull, blurred glare of the street lamps was reflected in the wet pavements. Ugh! a night not fit for a dog to be out in, and yet there were a good many people hurrying along to the church, in answer to the clamorous voices of the bells.