"Do you know what I'm going to ask of you?"
Elfie took a seat opposite. With a wry face, she said:
"If it's a touch, you'll have to wait until next week."
"No," smiled Laura; "just a little advice."
Her friend looked relieved.
"Well, that's cheap," she laughed; "and the Lord knows you need it. What's happened?"
Laura took the crumpled and torn telegram which Brockton had left on the table, and handed it to her companion. Elfie put the two pieces together, and read it very carefully. When she reached the middle of the despatch she gave an exclamation of surprise and looked up quickly at her companion. Then, finishing it, she laid it down.
"Well?" she demanded.
Rather at a loss how to explain, Laura flushed and stammered:
"Will suspected. There was something in the paper about Mr. Madison—the telegram came—then we had a row."