All of a sudden Gladys clutched hold of Helen's arm, and pointed to a figure in the street, which was coming quickly up the steps of the house.
"Oh Helen he has come!" she cried "quick, quick we must come down stairs!"
The two girls rushed to the door, but ere they had time to take a dozen steps, they were met at the top of the stairs by Mr. Palsey.
Helen's cheeks and lips grew white as a sheet, and she crept behind the welcome shade of Gladys's back, as the gaze of the man she hated fell upon her.
"What is the meaning of this?" hissed Mr. Palsey between his teeth.
"The meaning of what?" enquired Gladys in a trembling voice.
"This—this—most un-called-for visit?" cried Mr. Palsey pointing to where Helen stood trembling like a leaf in every limb.
"It means" cried Gladys in a loud tone, "that I know all Mr. James Palsey, all your false deceitful ways, all your cruel treatment of my cousin Helen and above all the murder of her father, and the robbery of the safe!"
Mr. Palsey grew livid with fury and fear, and clung for support to the bannisters.
"Oh you know all that do you?" he enquired sardonically, "For once your imaginations have gone too far Miss Gladys Lincarrol, I did not murder Mr. Winston as it happens, perhaps his daughter can throw light on that subject."