'That is all nonsense,' cried Washington Otis; 'Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time'.

Before the terrified housekeeper could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a small stick of what looked like black lipstick. In a few moments no trace of the blood-stain could be seen.

'I knew Pinkerton would do it,' he exclaimed triumphantly, as he looked round at his admiring family. No sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit up the sombre room.

A fearful peal of thunder made them all jump to their feet, and Mrs Umney fainted. 'What a monstrous climate!' said the American Ambassador calmly, as he lit a long cheroot.

'I guess the old country is so over-populated that they have not enough decent weather for everybody. I have always been of opinion that emigration is the only thing for England.'

'My dear Hiram,' said Mrs Otis, 'What can we do with a woman who faints?'