'That is nonsense,' Washington Otis said loudly; 'Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent will clean it up easily'. Before the terrified housekeeper could interfere he fell to his knees, and rapidly rubbed the floor with a small stick of what looked like black lipstick.

In a few moments there was no sign at all of the blood-stain.

'I knew Pinkerton would do it', exclaimed Washington triumphantly to his admiring family.

But as soon as he said these words, a terrible flash of lightning lit up the sombre room, and a frightning bang of thunder made them all jump to their feet. Mrs Umney fainted.

'What a monstrous climate!' said the American Ambassador calmly, as he lit a long cheroot. 'I guess the old country has so many people that they don't have enough good weather for everybody. I have always thought that the only thing that can help England is if more people leave the place.'

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