"Shall you tell her tonight" whispered Mr. Palsey.
"It is better to get it over" replied Cyril, "Helen dear, be prepared for bad news."
"Yes yes anything" gasped Helen nervously "father is ill I know very ill, oh Cyril tell me quickly."
"Worse than that" said Cyril and he clasped her tightly to him.
"Not dying moaned Helen, "oh Cyril not dying.
Cyril said nothing, but Mr. Palsey whispered "out with it Sheene, she must know soon."
"He is dead" cried Helen wildly, "say the words Cyril say them."
Cyril bowed his head "yes" he murmured "dead—murd——
"Hush" whispered Mr. Palsey striking him on the arm, "you idiot, keep quiet."
With a shriek, Helen tore herself from Cyril's grasp and ran like the wind, she herself knew not wither; at the station gate her strength failed her, she turned, she tottered, she tried to scream and fell insensible at the feet of the villians.