It was still twilight out of doors, and the hall gas not being lit, Henry walked to the glass door entrance to read the telegram, dreading he scarcely knew what.
He gave one hasty glance at the words, and read—
"Dr. Gordon, Guy's Hospital, to Mr. Henry Halford, Englefield Grange.
"A gentleman, with the initials A. F. on his clothes, is here dangerously ill; has asked for you. Come at once."
In a kind of bewilderment he looked round the hall, and saw the boy who waited for the answer.
"There is no answer necessary, my boy," he said, "you need not wait."
Then as the telegraph messenger sallied out at the still open door, Henry Halford turned hastily to the housemaid:—
"Go in quietly and tell Miss Marston she is wanted, Rebecca."
The girl obeyed, and presently that lady appeared with a startled look on her face.
"What is it, Henry?" she asked anxiously.
"Something that must not be mentioned suddenly before my father or Arthur's children," he replied; "read that, Kate."