"Nothing, my dear madam, but let him have rest and peace." "But he has been asking for Mr Crampton this morning, and that means business." "Well, let him see him to-morrow, if he asks. If he is not allowed, he will fidget, and that will do him more harm than seeing him, only I would not let him dwell on the attack. Divert his attention all you can, and keep from him all you possibly can about the Vines." John Van Heldre did not ask for his confidential clerk for two days more, the greater part of which time he spent in sleep; but in the intervals he talked in a low voice to his wife or Madelaine, not even alluding once, to their great surprise, to the cause of his illness. "He must know it, mamma," said Madelaine, sadly; "and he is silent, so as to spare me." At last the demand for Crampton was made, and the old clerk heard it looking eager and pleased. "At last, ma'am," said Crampton, rubbing his hands. "You'll go up very quietly, Mr Crampton," said Mrs Van Heldre. "If you would not mind." She pointed to a pair of slippers she had laid ready. The old clerk looked grim, muttered something about the points of his toes, and ended by untying his shoes, and putting on the slippers. Madelaine was quite right, for no sooner had Van Heldre motioned the clerk to a chair by the bed's head, learned that all was right in his office, and assured the old man that he was a-mending fast, than he opened upon him regarding the attack that night. "Was that money taken?" he said quickly. "Is it right for you to begin talking about that so soon?" replied Crampton. "Unless you want me to go backwards, yes," said his employer, sharply. "There, answer my questions. I have nothing the matter now; only weak, and I cannot ask any one else." "I'm your servant, Mr Van Heldre," said Crampton, stiffly. "Go, sir." "That money, then?" "Gone, sir, every note. Five hundred pounds." "Dead loss," said Van Heldre; "but it must be repaid." "Humph! pretty opinion you seem to have of me, sir, as a confidential clerk." "What do you mean, Crampton?" "Mean, sir? Why, that I did my duty, and stopped every note at the bank of England of course." "You did that, Crampton?" "Yes, sir; and those notes are of no use to anybody." "Capital. Hah! that's better. Five hundred just coming on the other misfortune worried me. Why, Crampton, that's a white paper plaister for my sore head." "Glad you're satisfied, sir." "More than satisfied. Now tell me: have the police any notion who committed the robbery?" Crampton nodded. "Do you know?" Crampton looked at his employer curiously, and nodded again. "Have they taken any one?" "No, sir," said the old man sadly. "Hah! That's bad. Who was it?" "Well, sir, you know of course?" "I? No!" "You don't know, sir?" "I have no idea, Crampton. I heard a noise, and went in and surprised the scoundrel, but it was quite dark, and as I tried to seize him I was struck down."