Lawrence produced the key from his pocket and was about to slip it quietly into the lock, when Helen interupted him: "Mr. Lincarrol" she said "dont you think it would be safer to give the key to Mrs. Norton, because if Mr. Palsey hears you opening the door he would be sure to get out and then there might be another scene." "So there might" replied Lawrence, "well I think that would be the best, come along Gladys, the sooner we get off the better." "Let me out, let me out" screamed Mr. Palsey from within the drawing room, "I'll tell the police of it; let me out this instant." "Have patience" shouted Lawrence, but his words were hardly audible for Mr. Palsey was releiving his feelings by kicking violently at the door. "The hall door was open, and Mrs. Norton was standing by it waiting for her lodgers to come down. "Well miss this is short notice" she began in an injured tone. "I am very sorry" replied Gladys "but I have to leave in a great hurry, I would have let you know before had it been possible," and she handed a few soverigns to the land lady. "By the by Mrs. Norton" began Lawrance "here is the key of your drawing room, Mr. Palsey is in there for reasons which I dont see fit to mention now, but as I found him assaulting a lady when I arrived I shall see fit to inform the police and no doubt you will be kind enough to take charge of the key until my return." "Oh yes sir" replied Mrs. Norton, who had no great devotion for that cross-grained Mr. Palsey as she called him "you can trust me fully." "Thank you" replied Lawrence, noting down Mrs. Norton's name and address in his memoranda as he spoke. A cab drew up at the door at that moment and the landlady and parlour maid both walked down the steps with their lodgers. "Am I to expect you back at any particular time sir?" enquired Mrs. Norton. "I cant say for certain" answered Lawrence, "but I will probably be back sometime tonight." "Very well sir, I'll keep the key safe in my pocket till then" and Mrs. Norton slipped the key into its receptable. "The old station" cried Lawrence and jumping into the cab he shut the door with a bang. The journey passed off very successfully, Helen and Gladys both taking a doze in the train and waking up quite fresh at Holburn Station. "I must go to the Police Station at once" said Lawrence "so I will see you both started first; what is your address Miss Winston?" "I could easily walk" replied Helen blushing, "but if you would rather I drove the address is 132, Cannon Street." Lawrence hailed two hansoms "now Gladys jump in as you have further to go" he said, "26, Portman Square" he added to the cabman, who touched his hat and drove off in an instant.