Miss Mephistopheles by Fergus Hume

The next morning a rumour crept through the city that a murder had been committed in a house in Russell Street, and many people proceeded to the spot indicated to find out if it were true. They discovered that for once rumour had not lied, and Lazarus, the pawnbroker, one of the best known characters in the city, had been found dead in his bed with his throat cut. The house being guarded by the police, who were very reticent, no distinct information could be gained, and it was not until _The Penny Whistle_ came out at four o'clock that the true facts of the crime were ascertained. A general rush was made by the public for copies of the paper, and by nightfall nothing was talked of throughout Melbourne but the Russell Street crime. The version given by _The Penny Whistle_, which was written by a highly imaginative reporter, was as follows, and headed by attractive titles: --

TERRIBLE CRIME IN RUSSELL STREET _Lazarus has passed in his Checks_. An Unknown Assassin is In Our Midst.