A cab drew up at the door at that moment and the landlady and parlour maid both walked down the steps with their lodgers.
"Am I to expect you back at any particular time sir?" enquired Mrs. Norton.
"I cant say for certain" answered Lawrence, "but I will probably be back sometime tonight."
"Very well sir, I'll keep the key safe in my pocket till then" and Mrs. Norton slipped the key into its receptable.
"The old station" cried Lawrence and jumping into the cab he shut the door with a bang.
The journey passed off very successfully, Helen and Gladys both taking a doze in the train and waking up quite fresh at Holburn Station.
"I must go to the Police Station at once" said Lawrence "so I will see you both started first; what is your address Miss Winston?"
"I could easily walk" replied Helen blushing, "but if you would rather I drove the address is 132, Cannon Street."
Lawrence hailed two hansoms "now Gladys jump in as you have further to go" he said, "26, Portman Square" he added to the cabman, who touched his hat and drove off in an instant.
The second hansom was waiting and drew close up to the curb as the other drove off. "132, Cannon Street, shouted Lawrence, "goodbye Miss Winston, be sure and write to Gladys if you are in trouble, I am going there myself late tonight as unfortunately I must go back to Richmond to see about Mr. Palsey."