AN UNEXPECTED VISIT
Helen's weeping had given her a headache and she was taking a doze on
the sofa, when angry voices were heard at the front door. The voices
were those of Mr. Netherby and a young lady evidently in great distress.
Helen came to the passage to hear what was the matter "I tell you I've
had orders from Mr. Sheene to let no gossiping women inside this office"
cried Mr. Netherby. "But I'm not a gossiping woman" said the lady in
agitation.
"And how do I know that?" enquired Mr. Netherby. "I tell you I am a
hater of gossip" screamed the lady "and here it is pouring rain and you
have the audacity to keep me waiting at the front door, when I ask to
see the lady of the house."
"There is no lady of this house" said Mr. Netherby "except Mrs.
Marshland and she rules it with a firm hand"
"I want to see Miss Winston" cried the lady now almost in tears.
Here Helen interupted, "Mr. Netherby" she said "If this lady wishes to
see me, kindly let her in at once."
"I've got the master's orders not to" replied Netherby firmly.
"Insolent person!" cried Helen "obey me at once, open the door."
Netherby was alarmed and opening the door he fled into the office
leaving his mistress to admit her guest if she would.
"Can I do anything for you my good lady?" asked Helen opening the door
wide.
With a cry the lady flung herself into Helen's arms, saying "oh Helen
Helen, how very glad I am to see you."
"Why Gladys" cried Helen "how came you here?" "Oh its a long story" said
Gladys (for it was she) "if I may come in, I'll tell it to you."
"Yes do" said Helen "stay the whole day if you will, for Cyril is out
and I am entirely alone" So saying Helen led the way to the sitting
room, where Gladys soon divested herself of her dripping cloak and hat,
and sat down by the fire to warm herself. "How dreadfully wet you are"
said Helen as she shook out Gladys's cloak.
"I had to walk all the way from Holburn station" replied Gladys "there
were no cabs to be seen" "Dear dear" said Helen "I hope you wont take
cold."
"Not I" laughed Gladys "and now Helen dear if you are ready I'll tell
you why I came here."
"Yes do" pleaded Helen drawing her chair to the fire. "It is a long
story" mused Gladys gazing into the fire, as though she could see the
events of the past three months of her life written there in letters of
red and gold. "as you know Helen, when I left Kenelham I went with James
straight to Norfolk, where my parents and relations live. James and I
stayed there for, say three weeks, and during that time I was perfectly
happy. I did not write to you as I didn't know your address, I presume
you did'nt know mine. Well at the end of these three weeks James got an
invatation to go and stay with some people in Brighton and he asked me
to go too I was glad to do so as I had never been to that part at all.
So it was arranged for me to go and we started. We had not been there a
week when a marked changed came over James. He grew white and thin and
seemed so terribly nervous about the smallest thing. Men were constantly
calling to see him and after their visits he looked even worse. It was
not a large house where we stayed, and my room was next to his. He went
to bed very late and I fancy he slept badly. I constantly heard him moan
and walk about his room, and what terrified me so much was he used to
talk about murders and robberies. So I took to listening to him, by
putting my bed close to the wall. And I believe he found it out, for he
took to ill treating me, that is to say he was not kind, and he called
me horrible names. I felt it very much indeed and it must have made me
look ill, for Mrs Martin (the hostess) said she thought the sea air did
not agree with me and advised James to take me to some place where I
had not been before. Accordingly we arranged to take a small house in
Richmond for a few months till I got better. There it is we are living
now. We have most comfortable rooms in a nice house overlooking the
terrace gardens. Our landlady is a very good soul, and though I am much
better for the change, James is not, he remains the same. All at once I
remembered what you said to him that day about a murder. So I resolved
to come and find out where you lived. I told James I wanted a whole day
to do as I liked and I took a train for Holburn and I was directed where
to go to, and here I am arrived in the very knick of time, just as Mr.
Sheene is off for the day and you are quite alone to answer any
questions I put to you."
During the latter part of Gladys's story Helen had grown very white and
she now paced the room in breathless agitation.
"What is it Helen?" enquired Gladys.
"Yes I knew I was right" muttered Helen half aloud "it is true too true
alas! but my revenge is at hand."
"Helen do sit down" cried Gladys "you look quite scared, I hope my story
has not frightened you."
"Frightenned me, No" cried Helen loudly "you have only confirmed doubts
which have been lingering in my brain for month's past."
"Doubts, what doubts." asked Gladys.
"Oh Gladys" cried Helen bursting into tears "thank goodness you came to
me today, for you may yet be saved from a terrible misfortune."
"For pity's sake Helen speak out" cried Gladys "you talk like a
tragedian Gladys" said Helen "did you say that Mr. Palsey talked about
murders and robberies?"
"Yes" replied Gladys sadly "he certainly made use of those two words."
"Shall I tell you why?" asked Helen "I shall be much obliged if you
will" answered Gladys.
"Mr. Palsey's conscience has begun to trouble him" replied Helen.
"Oh Helen what do you mean?" cried Gladys wildly.
"Simply this" said Helen "you know when my poor father died, people said
it was suicide."
"Yes, but I never belived that" said Gladys with marked descision.
"Evidently the detectives have found out their mistake" replied Helen
"you say, men are constantly calling on Mr. Palsey."
"Yes" replied Gladys "they are, but Helen whatever do you mean."
"Gladys" said Helen, "dont hate me for what I am going to tell you; I
only do it because I love you and wish to save you, it is a blessing you
came here today, I suppose in another week you would have married Mr.
Palsey but you wont now, for the man you call your lover is the murderer
of my father."
Gladys gave a loud groan and sank helpless to the floor.
Helen ran to lift her up and after dashing some water on her face was
happy to see her open her eyes.
"Gladys, dear Gladys" she cried "I should not have told you."
"Yes, yes" said Gladys faintly, "you did quite right, only it was such a
shock to me, after beliving in him all these months."
"Of course it is" replied Helen soothingly "thank goodness I shall never
have cause to doubt Cyril's honour."
"Oh Helen what shall I do?" moaned poor Gladys "to think of going back
to sleep in the house with a villian like him "he might try to murder
me in the night."
"Why not stay here a few nights till you think of some plans" suggested
Helen "we have heaps of room."
"Oh no no" cried Gladys desperately "I dare not vex James like that and
besides Mr. Sheene would not have me in his house."
"Oh Gladys" cried Helen "he would be only too pleased to be of help to
you."
"No he would not" said Gladys "he hates me."
"Gladys!" screamed Helen "how can you?"
"It is true" said Gladys "and I will tell you why."
Helen gave a snort of disgust but she listened attentively for all that.
"You see" said Gladys "I had to walk from Holburn Station as you know
and it took me some time as I did not know the way; I had just caught
sight of this office from the opposite side of the road and was going to
cross, when the door opened and Mr. Sheene himself came out, he did not
see me at first, he appeared to be looking at the sky, but the moment he
caught sight of me his face darkened directly, he looked at me for a
minute with posative hatred in his eyes, and then turning round he went
into the office, to give an order, I presume that order was that no
women were to be let in, because the instant I asked to see you, I was
furiously assaulted by a presuming clerk, who called me a gossiping
woman, and no end of horrid names."
"Oh" said Helen rather crossly "I think you must be mistaken, but all
the same if you wont stay the night, you wont,"
"I really can not," replied Gladys.
"Did Cyril speak to you when he came out again?" enquired Helen.
"Dear me no" replied Gladys "I took jolly good care he should'nt, so I
bolted into a confectioners to escape him, where I had to go to the
trouble of buying a bath bun; but anything was better than not seeing
you."
"Dont be sarcastic" returned Helen hotly "you dont treasure me as much
as that."
"Dont I?" cried Gladys "when I wanted to see you, I was not going to be
snubbed by an insolent clerk, I would have braved him even if you had
not come though I thank my stars you did come all the same, it is very
degrading to be seen arguing with a common city clerk."
"So I should imagine" replied Helen "I cant say I have ever been in the
same strait myself; I am on very good terms with both Netherby and
Wilson."
"Are you?" said Gladys "which do you like best."
"Well you see Netherby is rather alarmed at me" replied Helen "since I
blew him up for attempting to touch the organ without leave; but then he
is more to be trusted than Wilson, who thinks nothing of breaking his
word, telling stories etc: Cyril has often thought of dismissing him
only he is very sharp and a good writer I belive."
"Well Helen can you suggest any plan for me" asked Gladys "I cant marry
James that is certain, but I cant go home and tell him that to his face
can I?"
"Hardly" said Helen "if I were you I should go home, and dont say a word
to Mr. Palsey, and write at once to your parents, telling them all you
know as soon as you get a reply write and let me know and I will
endeavour to come up and see you and we can arrange some plans; of
course get Mr. Palsey out of the way before you ask me."
"Oh yes" said Gladys "that is easily done, but mind you dont tell Mr.
Sheene you have seen me today nor dont tell him you are coming to see me
either."
"Oh no" replied Helen "I'll merely say I am going to Richmond for a
trip, he does not know you live there."
"Then that is settled" replied Gladys with a sigh of relief "what time
do you expect Mr. Sheene home?"
"Not till quite late" said Helen "you must stay to lunch."
"Thank you" said Gladys "I shall be delighted."
So Helen rang the bell and when Alice answered it she ordered dinner for
two in a most bussiness like way.
Having made a good lunch, Gladys put on her things and got ready to
start.
"You must not walk again" said Helen "I'll call a hansom," so saying she
opened the front door and gave a soft whistle. In a minute a hansom
drove up to the door and Helen helped her friend in.
"Goodbye Gladys" she said "dont forget to write and let me know directly
you here from Norfolk and I'll come up if I can."
"No, I'll be sure to write" responded Gladys "thank you so much Helen
for all your kindness," and with a wave of her hand Gladys was driven
rapidly away in the direction of Holburn Station, while Helen returned
to the sitting room, a great weight lifted from her heart.