death which her distorted mind told her was threatened by the doll-maker.

"One-two-three-"

An appalling scream came from the girl. And then-

"She's caught me! Her hands are around my heart…Uh-h-h…"

Her body bent; a spasm ran through her. Her body relaxed and sank limply in the chair. Her eyes

opened, stared blankly; her jaw dropped.

I ripped open her bodice, set my stethoscope to her heart. It was still.

And then from the dead throat issued a voice organ-toned, sweet, laden with menace and contempt…

"You fools!"

The voice of Madame Mandilip!