"Heaven knows, father, but I fear the worst," whispered Dick; but his words were heard upstairs by Gertrude, who was leaning over the balustrade, and the poor girl staggered back into the little drawing-room to sob as if her heart would break. "But I must be a woman and act," she said, drying her eyes hastily; and ringing, she despatched the girl with a short note to her sister, begging her to come back in the cab directly with the messenger. Then she sat down patiently to wait, after declining the cook's offer of help. Ten minutes afterwards there was a quick ring at the bell, and the remaining servant answered the door. Gertrude ran to the landing, and glanced down, to utter a cry of joy, for at that moment a well-known voice exclaimed roughly: "Where is your mistress?" and she ran down to meet her husband in the hall. John Huish seemed to Gertrude greatly excited and hurried. There was something strange, too, in his way which she could not understand, but set it down to that which he had gone through. "Oh, John," she began, clinging to him; but he checked her, keeping his face half averted, and speaking in a harsh whisper. "Hush!" he exclaimed. "Not a word. Go down." This to the servant, who tossed her head at the imperative order and left the hall. "Now," he said, "quick--your hat and jacket! I have a cab waiting." "Are we going out, dear?" she said inquiringly. "I have just sent for Renee." "How foolish!" he cried. "But waste no time." "Where are we going?" she asked, wondering at his strange, impetuous manner. "Don't waste time, dear," he cried, "but get ready. You shall know all as we go." Gertrude's tears began to flow and half blinded her, but she hurried away to prepare herself, while Huish walked quickly from room to room, muttering impatiently. Not that there was much need, for Gertrude reappeared at the end of a minute or two, rapidly tying on her hat, to find the gas turned down. "I am ready, dear," she said, laying her hand upon his arm. "That's right," he cried. "Come along!" "Shall I tell cook how long we shall be?" said Gertrude. "No, no. Come along," he cried impatiently, and, hurrying her out of the house, he helped her into a cab. "Cannon Street Station," he cried to the driver, and jumping in beside her, the cab rattled off. "Are we going to leave town, dear?" "You'll soon see," he cried. "I can't talk to you now; the cab-wheels make so much noise. Can't you trust me?" "Oh yes," she cried, laying her hand upon his arm, "but you forget how anxious I am to know more." "Well, well, be patient," he cried. "There, if you must know, I have been short of money." "Yes, dear, of course. I knew. You forget," she said piteously. "Yes, of course," he replied. "Well, I was arrested for debt, and I have got away. We must stay in private--there, I'll speak plainly--in hiding for a time."