see a telegram upon his table. It came from Patty Ringrose, and
asked him to call at the shop without fail between one and two that
day. The hour was now nearly ten; the despatch had arrived at eleven
in the morning.

Without a minute's delay he ran out in search of a cab, and was
driven to High Street. Here, of course, he found the shop closed,
but it was much too early for the household to have retired to rest;
risking an indiscretion, he was about to ring the house bell when
the door opened, and Patty showed herself.

"Oh, is it _you_, Mr. Hilliard!" she exclaimed, in a flurried voice.
"I heard the cab stop, and I thought it might be----You'd better
come in--quick!"

He followed her along the passage and into the shop, where one
gas-jet was burning low.

"Listen!" she resumed, whispering hurriedly. "If Eve comes--she'll
let herself in with the latchkey--you must stand quiet here. I
shall turn out the gas, and I'll let you out after she's gone
upstairs? Couldn't you come before?"

Hilliard explained, and begged her to tell him what was the matter.
But Patty kept him in suspense.

"Uncle won't be in till after twelve, so there's no fear. Aunt has
gone to bed--she's upset with quarrelling about this marriage.
Mind! You won't stir if Eve comes in. Don't talk loud; I must keep
listening for the door."