THE ROBBERY
The door was opened by Marshland who having heard the fearful news was
attired in deep mourning.
"My darling Miss Helen!" cried the old servant.
"Oh Marshland" cried Helen "I feel so terribly ill."
"Come to bed at once miss and you shall have some hot wine" said
Marshland "step into the drawing room sir" she added seeing Cyril
waiting in the passage.
"Goodnight Helen dear" cried Cyril, then turning to the servant he added
"thank you I will rest for one moment, but I must go then, as I have a
friend waiting for me in the town."
"Very well sir" said Marshland "you can let yourself out cant you?"
"Oh yes" cried Cyril and he betook himself to the drawing room.
As I have already mentioned, Helen was feeling weak and ill and her head
ached as though it would split. Marshland put her to bed very carefully
and gave her some hot wine to drink.
Once in between the beautiful cool sheets with the breeze blowing in at
the open window stirring the dainty white muslin curtains, Helen dropped
into a dull heavy sleep, but she was so restless that Marshland dared
not leave her.
As the clock on the stairs struck 12-30 Helen seemed to grow quieter, so
Marshland drew down the blind, snuffed the candle and went downstairs.
She bolted the hall door and peeped into the drawing room.
"I heard Mr. Sheene go some hours ago" she muttered "and all the windows
are bolted, so off I go to bed to rest my weary limbs."
So the old woman went to her room, knocking at Gladys's door as she
went, to assure that she was going to bed, for Gladys who was highly
nervous had insisted on this.
Helen slept heavily till about 2 o'clock in the morning, when she was
awakened by some strange sounds below.
She sat up in bed and listened, the sounds continued and feeling
frightened she called Marshland.
But the old servant was asleep and for a little while the noises ceased.
Helen thinking it was her fancy turned in her bed and fell into a doze.
In less than 2 minutes she was awakened by the furious ringing of a
bell.
For a moment her heart stood still and her very blood ran cold. Then in
one desperate moment she recollected the sound of the bell.
Springing from her bed she flew to the door crying as she did so "the
safe, the safe!!"
Wildly she flew down the passage her brain dazed her heart beating
loudly.
Her eyes were too dilated to see, and in flying along she struck her
head against a tall old clock and would have fallen headlong
downstairs, to certain death, but a pair of arms were hastily flung
around her and in another moment two unconscios figures were lying
motionless in the still dark passage with only the pale moonlight
lighting up their rigid faces.