"James Palsey" said Mr. Winston referring to the letter in his hand.
Helen's face fell and her eyes filled with tears. "I'm afraid father" she said "we shall have to refuse them, for if the attic has to be used I certainly have no money to furnish it with and I know you have not."
"Don't make too sure my lass" said her father, "wait a little."
He got up as he spoke and taking a small key from his pocket went towards the left hand corner of the mantlepiece.
"Come closer Helen, come closer," he said keeping his eyes on his daughter.
Helen followed her father closely, her eyes with a startled expression in them and her lips quivering with emotion. Mr. Winston lifted a portion of the red velvit curtain which screaned the fire place, and then to Helen said:
"Do you notice anything peculiar about this part of the wall, my child."
"No father, except that there is a little hole just in the middle," replied Helen.
"Ah! you notice that?" said Mr. Winston.
"Yes" said Helen under her breath.