“To cut this here out,” said Jenkles; “there, that’s it. Here’s a sov and a arf, mum, as was saved up for our rent. I never did such a thing afore, but that’s nothing to you. I’ll lend it you, and you’ll pay me again when you can. There’s my name on that dirty envelope, and you’ll send it, I know.”
“No,” exclaimed Mrs Lane, in a choking voice, “I—”
At this moment Mrs Sturt entered the room, looking very grim; but no sooner did she see the money lying upon the table than she walked up, took it, said “Thanky,” shortly, and jerked a letter upon the table.
Jenkles was following her, when Mrs Lane cried “Stop!” seized the letter, tore it open, and read it.
It was in reply to the second she had written, both of which had reached Captain Vanleigh, though she believed the first had been lost.
Her letter had been brief—
“Help us—we are destitute.
“A.V.”
The reply was—
“Do what I wish, and I will help you.”
No signature.