It may here be mentioned that Mr. Winston had left a will leaving all his money to Helen, and the gold which that bag contained was all he had left, so that gone, Helen would have to set about to earn her own living. Mr. Winston had before his death written on a slip of paper "all this gold is bequeathed to my daughter Helen on the day when I shall be called upon to die." This he had sealed with his private seal and put at the bottom of the bag so that the thief (whoever he might be) had carried that signature with him.
Marshland lost no time in seeing what else had been robbed and found to her relief that the ivory box containing the valuable old jewils had not been touched.
Taking it in her trembling hand, she carried it to Helen's room. "Here Miss" she said, see the jewils have not been touched but—but—her white lips refused to say any thing else, but Helen took up the strain, "the money is gone, yes I knew it Marshland and I am left alone a beggar in this cruel, cruel world. All this she uttered in so calm a tone as to quite supprise Marshland.
"Dont say alone miss" cried the faithful servant, for I will be with you through thick and thin.
At that moment the door opened and Gladys announced that Mr. Sheene was waiting in the parlour, together with Mr. Palsey. Helen dressed herself quickly and leaning on Gladys's arm for support she entered the much disturbed drawing room.
Cyril was standing by the window, his hands in his trouser pockets looking desperatly ill.
Mr. Palsey looked as stern and hard as ever, and with his cigarette between his lips he appeared to be taking a general survey of the room.
"Good morning Miss Winston" he cried totally ignoring his future wife, "if you have any brains they ought to tell you what I am here about. Before Helen had time to reply Gladys stepped forward and laying her hand on Mr. Palsey's arm looked in his face steadily and said. "James, I dont know what you intend saying but I am sure it is cruel and cutting and I beg and pray of you to keep quiet whatever it is. Helen is, as you know in great trouble about her dear father, and added to that, a robbery has been commited in the night, which has deprived her of all the money which had been left her and so she has now to earn her own living——"
"Hold" cried Cyril suddenly turning round, "I have already heard of this terrible robbery and though I have to grovell in the very ground, Helen shall never have to earn her own living, in the presence of everyone here I repeat my words. I intend as soon as possible to take Helen to London and marry her on the first opportunity which presents itself; I have" he added, "though no one may know it, a private bussiness in Holburn, which consists of a small office in which I employ two clerks, my living appartments are at the back of this office or (home affair) as I generally call it, and mark my words all of you here Helen would lead a very happy life, and if my bussiness should prosper I will go and live in Paris or Rome if Helen should prefer it."
"Thank you Cyril" said Helen, "I will spend one more week here to collect my belongings and then only too gladly will I go with you to your office. I have only one request to make."