BAD NEWS
The journey on which Helen and Mr. Palsey had set out was a very long
one indeed and May though it was the night was very chilly.
Helen shivered as she got into the train and drew her shawl round her.
Mr. Palsey had taken first class tickets, and so soothing was the motion
of the train and so comfortable the seat in which she found herself that
Helen soon dropped asleep.
"Now I can think over things a bit," said Mr. Palsey taking some papers
from a black bag by his side, "jolly nice of Gladys to suggest me coming
up here, though she didn't know why I wanted to come poor girl; odd that
I didn't hear from Sheene today, I quite expected a line or a telegram
to say how matters stand. It may here be mentioned that Mr. Palsey and
Cyril Sheene were by no means new acquaintances and had met many times
in London and even once or twice before in Kenalham.
"Odd how Cyril found out about that secret shelf mused Mr. Palsey "a
whole bag of gold he said, how Winston saved it I dont know, ah he was a
rich man with all his poor living and scanty furniture. I think there
were some jewils in the safe too but of course it is the money, the gold
I'm putting myself to this for and with a cold laugh, he drew out some
closely written papers and read them eagerly, putting pencil marks by
certain paragraphs in the document.
The train flew on nearing Warwick rapidly.
At last Helen awoke with a start and found Mr. Palsey taking forty winks
opposite her.
She rubbed her eyes and looked out of the window, "how dark it is" she
thought and its raining too, how horrible and she nestled under her
fluffy shawl. Presently the train stopped with a jerk and Mr. Palsey
woke up.
"This is Warwick" he said picking up his bag "train's late and it is
twenty to twelve.
"How late" quoth Helen and with a sigh she followed Mr. Palsey on to the
crowded platform.
It was a dreary sight which met the weary girl's eyes. The rain was
pouring heavily and the whole station looked wet and miserable. The gas
lights flickered in the wind making hideous shadows on the walls. The
porters, cold and cross looking, poor things, were bustling about,
crying the name of the station at the tops of their voices, and a thin
shaggy dog, evidently lost, was howling pitiably, tending by no means to
cheer poor Helen's quaking heart.
"I thought Cyril would be sure to meet you" said Mr. Palsey suddenly
"you go into the waiting room and warm yourself and I'll walk up the
road a bit and see if I see him, for I dont know what house to go to do
you?"
"No" said Helen, "oh Mr. Palsey I'm so unhappy and with a faint cry she
turned away and buried her face in her shawl.
"Poor thing" thought Mr. Palsey "she cant guess the worst yet," out loud
he added "hush Miss Winston, you are over fatigued, that is all, would
you like a cup of coffee? the refreshment room is not yet closed."
"I could'nt drink or eat" replied Helen sadly "I'll go and sit by the
fire while you look for Cyril.
"Very well" said Mr. Palsey, and he turned round and went off in an
opposite direction.
Helen entered the waiting room and sat by the fire her tired eyes
covered with her hands. Presently she raised her white face and glanced
at the clock. Two old ladies sitting near, noticed her pale frightened
face.
"Have you come a long journey" asked one "you look very tired."
"I am very tired, and miserable too" broke forth Helen in the fullness
of her heart "oh why am I dragged up here in this cruel fashion, oh what
has happened to father?" she burst into heart broken sobbing.
The old ladies looked very much alarmed and after bidding Helen a kind
good night, gathered up their wraps and departed.
The time sped on and still nether Cyril nor Mr. Palsey arrived.
Helen grew terrified and was on the point of going out on to the
platform when the door opened and the two men appeared.
Mr. Palsey looked much the same, Cyril was clad in a heavy ulster and
his face was white and scared.
Cyril was speaking as the two entered and Helen caught the last words,
"just as we could have wished" he was saying. "Oh Cyril Cyril" cried
Helen and she flung herself into his arms.
"My darling" gasped Cyril and a queer gurgle sounded in his throat.
"What is it Cyril, what has happened?" cried Helen, clutching hold of
his coat.
"Hush darling" said Cyril, "come outside.
Helen was quite overcome by now and she allowed herself to be led out by
Cyril and Mr. Palsey.
"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.