Gladys left the room and Helen's calm manner changed to one of absolute fury. Darting to her feet, she seized Marshland's shoulder, her white lips parted in feverish anxiety. "The safe" she cried quick Marshland it has been robbed--I heard the bell--go and see quick, oh Marshland hurry--hurry." Marshland had her doubts as to the robbery, but to quiet Helen she went downstairs to ascertain. Entering the drawing room to her great alarm she found the window wide open, and she knew she had shut and bolted it the night before. Advancing in some consternation she saw the bolt had _not_ been tampered with and her eyes wandered to the safe. Dragging back the curtain she perceived to her great horror that the gauze door was wide open and the black leather bag which contained all the money, gone. "Oh Heavens" ejaculated the old woman "all the money gone, yes every brass farthing of it, my poor Miss Helen you'll have to go begging now and in sober earnest too." It may here be mentioned that Mr. Winston had left a will leaving all his money to Helen, and the gold which that bag contained was all he had left, so that gone, Helen would have to set about to earn her own living. Mr. Winston had before his death written on a slip of paper "all this gold is bequeathed to my daughter Helen on the day when I shall be called upon to die." This he had sealed with his private seal and put at the bottom of the bag so that the thief (whoever he might be) had carried that signature with him. Marshland lost no time in seeing what else had been robbed and found to her relief that the ivory box containing the valuable old jewils had not been touched. Taking it in her trembling hand, she carried it to Helen's room. "Here Miss" she said, see the jewils have not been touched but--but--her white lips refused to say any thing else, but Helen took up the strain, "the money is gone, yes I knew it Marshland and I am left alone a beggar in this cruel, cruel world. All this she uttered in so calm a tone as to quite supprise Marshland. "Dont say alone miss" cried the faithful servant, for I will be with you through thick and thin. At that moment the door opened and Gladys announced that Mr. Sheene was waiting in the parlour, together with Mr. Palsey. Helen dressed herself quickly and leaning on Gladys's arm for support she entered the much disturbed drawing room. Cyril was standing by the window, his hands in his trouser pockets looking desperatly ill. Mr. Palsey looked as stern and hard as ever, and with his cigarette between his lips he appeared to be taking a general survey of the room.