led, addressed to Helen and marked
"private."

"I know what that is!" cried Netherby excitedly "it is the story Mr.
Sheene wrote about, look here sir" and he picked up Cyril's letter which
had dropped from Helen's hand when she was lifted into the cab.

Mr. Spriggs carefully read the letter and placed it in the chest, "ah
yes" he said addressing Lord Beaufort and Lawrence, "that story is
evidently for Miss Winston's private eye, so it must be locked up till
she is able to read it."

"Which wont be for a good while judging from her present condition,"
said Lawrence, "but now to business, what about this office, it is a
difficult matter to carry it on without Mr. Sheene."

"As far as I can see, it must be kept on till Miss Winston's recovery"
replied Mr. Spriggs "if no more news is heard of Mr. Sheene till then
well Miss Winston can come and procure her money and various other
papers which will of course be hers and then this place can be sold."

"Yes" said Lord Beaufort and I suppose Mr. Netherby will be the head
man till then.

"Well yes" replied Mr. Spriggs "he must certainly be here to look after
the place, and of course I shall look in occasionally to see all goes
well; another young man can be got to be under Mr. Netherby as Mr.
Wilson has gone to prison for attempted robbery; do you agree to that
Mr. Netherby?"

"Oh yes sir" eagerly replied the clerk, who would not have disagreed for
the world.

"And if it comes to the place being sold" added Lord Beaufort "you can
come to me Mr. Netherby, I may have arranged something by then"

"Thank you very much sir" replied Netherby and after a few more matters
had been arranged the three men left the office leaving Netherby in
charge.

By the time Lord Beaufort and Lawrence got back home, a doctor had seen
Helen. He said that when she recovered her senses, perfect rest and
quiet would be all she needed, her brain being in a dazed condition. She
would not be able to leave her bed for some time probably though nothing
serious was the matter.

Helen remained unconscious all night and next day she was very
delirious but towards 4 o'clock she dropped asleep and woke up about
seven o'clock, her right senses returned to her, but still in a weak
condition.

CHAPTER 28

THE PROPOSAL

It was not untill the evening after Helen's recovery that Lawrence and
Lord Beaufort had an oppertunity of conversing together.

Mulberry Beaufort was seated in his luxurious