"Thank you," said Effie, after a little pause. "I should be very glad of a cup of tea," she added. The landlady bustled her into her little sitting room, seated her by the fire, and would not leave her alone until she had swallowed a cup of tea and a piece of toast. "I'm all the better for the tea," said Effie; "thank you very much." The unlooked-for kindness cheered the poor girl; she looked upon it as a good omen. She walked quickly up the narrow street which led into the larger thoroughfare, and was soon on her way to Mr. Gering's office in Leadenhall Street. She arrived there just as the clock was striking nine. She did not allow herself even to feel nervous, but, walking boldly in, asked to see Mr. Gering at once. "Have you an appointment with him?" asked the clerk whom she addressed. "No; but I hope he will see me without that; my business is very pressing." "What is your name, miss?" "Staunton." Effie hesitated for a minute, then she said abruptly, "I am the sister of George Staunton, who is a clerk here." The moment she uttered the words every clerk in the place looked up with interest, and one, coming up in a somewhat familiar way, said cavalierly: "I don't think there's the least use in your troubling Mr. Gering; I may as well tell you beforehand that he certainly won't see you." At this moment a man came out of an inner room. He spoke to the head clerk, who gave him a bundle of letters. "Take these to Mr. Gering at once," he said. Effie followed this man with her eyes. The other clerks stared at her, expecting her to go. She looked at the one to whom she had first spoken. "Will you take my message to Mr. Gering?" she said. "Will you tell him that Effie Staunton--George Staunton's sister--wishes to see him on most important business?" There was much distress in her tone, but withal such firmness that the clerk could not help looking at her with admiration. "I would gladly take your message, Miss Staunton, but it would be useless. I know beforehand that nothing will induce Mr. Gering to see you." "He must see me," replied Effie in a firm voice. "If no one here will be polite enough to take him my message, I will go to him myself." Before one of the clerks could prevent her, Effie walked across the large room, opened the door where the clerk who took Mr. Gering his letters had vanished, and found herself the next moment in a handsomely furnished room, where a portly old gentleman was seated at a desk. He looked up in unfeigned astonishment when he saw a pretty girl standing near the door. As she did not speak for an instant, he raised his voice with an inquiry. "May I ask what you are doing here?" he said. "I have come to speak to you about my brother," said Effie. "Your brother! What do you mean? Who is your brother?" "George Staunton."