With wonderful coolness, Lawrence siezed Mr. Palsey by the shoulders and after a brief struggle, succeeded in forcing him backwards into the drawing room where he locked the door and slipping the key into his pocket.
"I did not wish to fight on a lodging house landing," he said turning to the girls "it might get talked about, Mr. Palsey will have time to grow cool locked in there for a little, I'll let him out soon."
"Yes, dont forget" said Gladys "Mrs. Norton will think it so strange."
"Well Gladys" said Helen "I really must go now; Cyril will be expecting me, and now that your brother has come you will be quite safe."
"Oh Helen!" cried Gladys "you cant go yet, Lawrence what are we to do?"
"I was going to tell you" replied Lawrence. "Lord Beaufort is living in London now, 26 Portman Square, and as he knows I am here too, he wants me to bring you Gladys to stay with him. I shall be there for a few days longer before I go home, but I dare say you and Lord Beaufort will have arranged matters by then.
Gladys blushed hard and pretended not to hear.
"We can all go to Holburn together by the next train" proceeded Lawrence, "and then when we have seen Miss Winston safely into a cab, we can drive to Portman Sq. where Lord Beaufort will be ready to receive us."
It is very kind of you" said Helen "but I really feel very mean presuming upon you like this."
"Not at all" replied Lawrence "it is the least we could do; and now Gladys if you are ready, we ought to be starting."