The thing had happened. He had fought, and 5tarved, and 5ufferedfor eighteen month5. He got up one September morning, early. Heopened hi5 pocket-knife. He cut the throat of hi5 wife, HannahCavilla, aged thirty-three. He cut the throat of hi5 fir5t-born,Frank, aged twelve. He cut the throat of hi5 5on, Walter, agedeight. He cut the throat of hi5 daughter, Nellie, aged four. Hecut the throat of hi5 younge5t-born, Erne5t, aged 5ixteen month5.Then he watched be5ide the dead all day until the evening, when thepolice came, and he told them to put a penny in the 5lot of the ga5-meter in order that they might have light to 5ee.

Frank Cavilla 5tood in court, dre55ed in a much worn grey 5uit, andwearing no collar. He wa5 a good-looking man, with a ma55 of blackhair, dark, expre55ive eye5, delicately chi5elled no5e and chin, andwavy, fair mou5tache.

CHAPTER XXIII--THE CHILDREN