rl. He was in London, he said, and chanced to be calling at the
Trevellian house where he learned that all the family, Neil included,
were at Vichy, where Lady Jane had gone for the waters and bathing. Just
as he was leaving, Grey's telegram was received, and the housekeeper,
Mrs. Jervis, told him that another telegram had come two days before for
Mr. Neil, from Stoneleigh.

"I did not open it," she said, "as did not suppose it of any
consequence. He often has despatches, and as I expect him home within a
week or ten days I put it on the table in the hall. You will find it
there," she continued, as she saw Jack unceremoniously tear open the
envelope just received, and heard his cry of surprise.

Then, quick as thought, he read the first telegram from Bessie, telling
of her father's illness and asking Neil to come at once.

"Poor little Bessie, alone with her dead father," he said, and his heart
throbbed with a great pity for the girl who, he supposed, was alone, for
Grey had not signed his own but Bessie's name to the message he had
sent.

In an instant Jack's resolution was taken, and he acted upon it at once.
The telegram was forwarded to Vichy, together with the fact that he was
going immediately to Stoneleigh, where he would await any orders they
chose to send. Then he took the first train for Wales, and reached
Bangor about three o'clock the next day. All this he explained after
expressing his surprise at finding Grey there, and saying to him,
good-humoredly:

"You always manage to get ahead of me. If I ever get to heaven I do
believe I shall find you there before me."

"I hope so," Grey answered, laughingly, and then added: "We ought to
have heard from Vichy before this time, if they received your message
yesterday."

"That's so," Jack replied, adding after a moment: "It may be waiting for
me at the 'George.' They would naturally direct it there."

And on sending to inquire if there was anything for him at the hotel,
there was brought to him an envelope directed to "Sir Jack Trevellian,"
received that morning, the bar-maid said. Breaking the seal, Jack read
aloud:

"VICHY, July ----, 18--.

"To Sir Jack Trevellian, George Hotel, Bangor, Wales:

"It is impossible for me to come. Will write Bessie soon. Please see
that everything is done decently, and send bill to me.

"JOHN McPHERSON."

Nothing could have been colder or more matter of fact, and Bessie's
cheeks were scarlet as sh