It was past ten before Cyril returned home very wet and cross into the bargin.

Helen saw at a glance what she might expect, so she carefully made up the fire and set a nice hot supper on the table.

"How tired you look dear" she said as she helped him off with his over coat.

"Well I suppose I do" replied Cyril crossly.

"Did you find your friend at home?" enquired Helen.

"Yes I did" said Cyril hastily pouring out his beer.

"Well that's all right" said Helen cheerily putting a lump of coal on the fire.

"No it's not all right" replied Cyril "for pity's sake leave that fire alone, I'm not going to sit up all night."

Helen smiled "have you a tooth ache dear" she asked.

"No I've not" said Cyril "look here Helen, have you seen a little card about the floor today?"

"Yes dear" replied Helen "a little Xmas card, that Mrs. Gingham sent you last year."

"Oh yes" said Cyril, trying to look as though that was what he meant "where did you put it?"

"In the desk dear" replied Helen producing a faded little card, which in an ordinary moment Cyril would have tossed into the fire, but now he carefully placed it in his note book.

"By the way Helen," said Cyril "I find I must go to Piccadilly again tomorrow as I did not get through my bussiness today, have breakfast at 8-30 will you?"

"Yes dear" replied Helen, and after saying goodnight to him, she put out the lamp, taking care to drop the pawn ticket, (which had been in her pocket all this time) on the hearth rug, where she had found it.

Helen slept very soundly indeed and she therefore was awake early. She got dressed quickly, and went down to the sitting room.

Pulling up the blind she glanced quickly round the room. The ticket still lay where she had dropped it; Cyril had evidently not been down.

By a quarter to 9 he made his appearance.

"Now Helen hurry up with the tea!" he cried "it is getting late."

"That's no fault of mine" replied Helen quietly "time will fly you know."

"Who said it would'nt?" asked Cyril snappishly, sitting down in the grumps.

"Why on earth does'nt Marshland send up the silver tea pot?" asked Helen artfully "I hate this old brown china concern; I'll ring for the other; and the sugar bowl too."

"No, no please dont," cried Cyril nervously "I really cant wait."

"Well if it is'nt sent up tonight I shall make a row about it" replied Helen crossly "I cant bear keeping the silver for special occasions."

Cyril did not notice the ticket so Helen went and picked it up, "what's this?" she asked curiously.

"What's what?" asked Cyril turning sharply round.

"This little card" said Helen.

"Oh that's mine" replied Cyril "I'll put it in my pocket if you give it here."

Helen handed it over, "it looks exactly like a pawn ticket does'nt it?" she asked.

"Yes, its not unlike one" replied Cyril.

"No not at all" said Helen, "in fact when I read it yesterday, I thought it was uncommonly like one."

Cyril turned a ghastly white and flew into the hall to get his hat.

"Ha ha my dear" thought Helen "I've found out your little game," but never the less she followed him innocently into the hall, "dear Cyril" she exclaimed "I hope my thinking that ticket like a pawn one has not upset you; of course it is awfully foolish of me I know."

"Yes I know it is" replied Cyril cooly, "I may say more than foolish."

Helen laughed "you wont be so late today I presume," she said.

"No I dont think so" said Cyril, "I may be home by three o'clock today."

"Very well" replied Helen "dont hurry on my account, and with a giggle she opened the door and watched Cyril safely down the street, "yes my boy" she thought I dare say I'm cleverer than you take me for, any how I know where you're off to now and I wish you luck" and with a sigh Helen entered the office.

"Netherby" she cried "a word with you if you please."

The clerk shuffled quickly to his feet and followed Helen into the passage.

"Now look here" said Helen firmly "did Mr. Sheene ask if any ladies entered the office yesterday."

Netherby looked uneasily at the floor and kicked up the oil cloth.

"Speak up" cried Helen loudly, "and dont tear my carpets please."

"Well miss" said Netherby nervously "he did mention something of the kind last night."

"Oh he did, did he" screamed Helen "and what did you say?"

"Well miss I did'nt tell a story" said Netherby "I said not that I knew of because you see miss, I did'nt look to see if you let the lady in or not after I went into the office."

"Thank you Netherby" said Helen "you have done me a great service, "and she pressed a sovereign into the trembling hand of the clerk.

Entering the sitting room she found Alice waiting with a telegram in hand "its for you miss" she said "and the reply is prepaid."

Helen tore it open; it ran thus:

"Have heard from Norfolk, come directly.

Gladys.

Seizing a pencil Helen wrote the following answer:

"Will try to come tomorrow.

Helen giving it to Alice she told her to take it at once.

"Poor Gladys" she thought, "I must manage to get to Richmond tomorrow what ever happens."

The morning passed and Cyril was home to lunch in very good spirits.

"Do you know Cyril" said Helen "I've often longed to go to Richmond for a trip, it must be such a nice place."

"Have you dear?" said Cyril, "well I must endevour to take you one day."

"Could you take me tomorrow?" asked Helen knowing he had an engagement on that day.

"No, not tomorrow" said Cyril "why?"

"Well there is a special matinee I wanted to see" said Helen "I promise you I'd be back by 8 in the evening."

"All right" said Cyril "you may go if you wish it; be back early you know "here's the money for your seat."

"Oh thank you" cried Helen "this is jolly I shall have a rare time I expect. I shall go there by the 9-12. You know and have a whole day of it."

"Very well" replied Cyril with a laugh, and kissing him soundly Helen ran upstairs to dream happily over the coming event.