he would rather stay at home. To this the master had
answered, "Get your things on directly!"--and had said it so sharply
that Miss Zoe stared at him in astonishment. Had they taken anything
with them--a travelling bag for instance? They had taken nothing, except
Mr. Gallilee's umbrella. Who had seen Mr. Gallilee last, on the previous
night? Joseph had seen him last. The lower classes in England have one,
and but one, true feeling of sympathy with the higher classes. The man
above them appeals to their hearts, and merits their true service, when
he is unsteady on his legs. Joseph nobly confined his evidence to what
he had observed some hours previously: he mentioned the parcel. Mrs.
Gallilee's keen perception, quickened by her own experience at the
window, arrived at the truth. Those two bulky packages must have
contained clothes--left, in anticipation of the journey, under the care
of an accomplice. It was impossible that Mr. Gallilee could have got
at the girls' dresses and linen, and have made the necessary selections
from them, without a woman's assistance. The female servants were
examined again. Each one of them positively asserted her innocence.
Mrs. Gallilee threatened to send for the police. The indignant women all
cried in chorus, "Search our boxes!" Mrs. Gallilee took a wiser course.
She sent to the lawyers who had been recommended to her by Mr. Null.
The messenger had just been despatched, when Mr. Null himself, in
performance of yesterday's engagement, called at the house.

He, too, was agitated. It was impossible that he could have heard what
had happened. Was he the bearer of bad news? Mrs. Gallilee thought of
Carmina first, and then of Mr. Le Frank.

"Prepare for a surprise," Mr. Null began, "a joyful surprise, Mrs.
Gallilee! I have received a telegram from your son."

He handed it to her as he spoke.

"September 6th. Arrived at Quebec, and received information of Carmina's
illness. Shall catch the Boston steamer, and sail to-morrow for
Liverpool. Break the news gently to C. For God's sake send telegram to
meet me at Queenstown."

It was then the 7th of September. If all went well, Ovid might be in
London in ten days more.

CHAPTER LV.

Mrs. Gallilee read the telegram--paused--and read it again. She let it
drop on her lap; but her eyes still rested mechanically on the slip of
paper. When she spoke, her voice startled Mr. Null. Usually loud and
hard, her tones were strangely subdued. If his