"I am very tired, and miserable too" broke forth Helen in the fullness of her heart "oh why am I dragged up here in this cruel fashion, oh what has happened to father?" she burst into heart broken sobbing. The old ladies looked very much alarmed and after bidding Helen a kind good night, gathered up their wraps and departed. The time sped on and still nether Cyril nor Mr. Palsey arrived. Helen grew terrified and was on the point of going out on to the platform when the door opened and the two men appeared. Mr. Palsey looked much the same, Cyril was clad in a heavy ulster and his face was white and scared. Cyril was speaking as the two entered and Helen caught the last words, "just as we could have wished" he was saying. "Oh Cyril Cyril" cried Helen and she flung herself into his arms. "My darling" gasped Cyril and a queer gurgle sounded in his throat. "What is it Cyril, what has happened?" cried Helen, clutching hold of his coat. "Hush darling" said Cyril, "come outside. Helen was quite overcome by now and she allowed herself to be led out by Cyril and Mr. Palsey. "Shall you tell her tonight" whispered Mr. Palsey. "It is better to get it over" replied Cyril, "Helen dear, be prepared for bad news." "Yes yes anything" gasped Helen nervously "father is ill I know very ill, oh Cyril tell me quickly." "Worse than that" said Cyril and he clasped her tightly to him. "Not dying moaned Helen, "oh Cyril not dying. Cyril said nothing, but Mr. Palsey whispered "out with it Sheene, she must know soon." "He is dead" cried Helen wildly, "say the words Cyril say them." Cyril bowed his head "yes" he murmured "dead--murd---- "Hush" whispered Mr. Palsey striking him on the arm, "you idiot, keep quiet." With a shriek, Helen tore herself from Cyril's grasp and ran like the wind, she herself knew not wither; at the station gate her strength failed her, she turned, she tottered, she tried to scream and fell insensible at the feet of the villians. CHAPTER 9 HELEN'S ACCTIDENT Cyril and Mr. Palsey lost no time in conveying Helen to a cab which was waiting outside. They placed her on one of the seats and bade the cabman drive directly to number 2 Medina Road, where Cyril was lodging. "How will you manage about the money Cyril?" presently asked Mr. Palsey. "Dont speak to me of money?" cried Cyril bitterly, "oh Helen Helen" and he bent over his unconcious sweetheart. "Pon me word Cyril" cried Mr. Palsey "you're a born idiot, the girl will soon recover, you'll marry her and we'll go halfs with the money, its simply ridiculous the way you mople and mumble over her, let her alone I say and tell me how the murd--the bussiness went off." "I've told you twice it was very successful" replied Cyril impatiantly. "You're trying to hide something I can see" cried Mr. Palsey passionately, "you'd best tell me, or not a farthing of the money shall be yours."