noon
` At all events , ' said Chinston , slowly , ` the poisoner did not know that your nurse was with you , so the poison was meant for Mrs Villiers . ' For me ? ' she echoed , ghastly pale ; ` I knew it , -- my husband is alive , and this is his work . ' Ill news travels fast , and before noon the death of Selina Sprotts was known all over Melbourne . The ubiquitous reporter , of course , appeared on the scene , and the evening papers gave its own version of the affair , and a hint at foul play . There was no grounds for this statement , as Dr Chinston told Kitty and Madame Midas to say nothing about the poison , and it was generally understood that the deceased had died from apoplexy . A rumour , however , which originated none knew how , crept about among everyone that poison was the cause of death , and this , being added to by some and embellished in all its little details by others , there was soon a complete story made up about the affair .