"He was after the Yellow," pronounced Mr. Lang solemnly. "There'll be many a one after that now it has gone to market. There'll be people, I know, who wouldn't mind standing five hundred pounds if they could only buy our process. Like enough that fellow has burst open the drawer and gone away with the receipt." "I do not think that very likely, as I never leave a paper of any importance in the drawer," Dolly answered. "Well, if you carry that receipt about with you I should not care, if I was in your place, about coming across these fields alone." "Don't talk nonsense, Lang," was the reply, "but go and get a ladder and open the door, and let us see what the man has really been doing." When the door was opened, they found Lang's prophecy fulfilled. The drawer was broken open and all the parcels it contained abstracted. "I'll be bound the fellow has spoiled all our colours too," remarked Mr. Lang, but in this he chanced to be mistaken. Their colours then in process of making turned out as good as ever. "I wouldn't for fifty pounds this had happened," remarked Lang. "Nor I, for five times fifty," Mrs. Mortomley answered; and without uttering another word, she walked slowly and thoughtfully back to Wood Cottage. CHAPTER X. A BROKEN REED. That morning's post brought with it a letter from Miss Gerace, which bore on the envelope these words:-- "IMMEDIATE DELIVERY IS REQUESTED." "What on earth can be the matter with my aunt now?" thought Dolly as she opened it. Next moment Lenore called out, "Mamma, mamma!" and Esther, happening to be bringing in the kettle at that instant, exclaimed, "Oh! ma'am, what has happened?" But Dolly put them both aside, and sitting down all of a tremble, spread the letter on the table, for her hands were shaking so she could not hold it steady, and read to herself, "Dreadful news has reached us to-night; a telegram to say _Mr. Werner is dead_. Leonora is like one distracted, and poor Mrs. Trebasson completely prostrated. Leonora left by the express, and I write to entreat you to go to her at once. We forgot to ask her Lord Darsham's present address. Get it and telegraph to him immediately. Mrs. Trebasson wishes me to go to London to see if I can be of any use, so I shall see you soon. Do not lose a moment in going to Leonora. "Yours, "A. G." Dolly rose up like a person who had received some dreadful blow. "Fetch me my hat and shawl, Esther," she said. "I must go to London by the next train." "But you have not had any breakfast ma'am," expostulated the girl. Mrs. Mortomley made no reply. She only walked through the open door and began pacing up and down the plot of grass.