the Girdlestones also.
African merchants they were in the City. You see I know all about you."

"You know Tom?" Kate cried in astonishment.

"Oh, don't let us get talking of Tom," said Mrs. Scully
good-humouredly. "When girls get on a subject of that sort there's an
end to everything. What I want now is business. In the first place I
shall drive down to Bedsworth, and I shall send to London."

"God bless you!" ejaculated Kate.

"But not to Phillimore Gardens. Hot-headed young men do foolish things
under such circumstances as these. This is a case that wants careful
management. I know a gentleman in London who is just the man, and who I
know would be only too proud to help a lady in distress. He is a
retired officer, and his name is Major Clutterbuck--Major Tobias
Clutterbuck."

"Oh, I know him very well, and I have heard of you, too," said Kate,
with a smile. "I remember your name now in connection with his."

It was Mrs. Scully's turn to blush now. "Never mind that," she said.
"I can trust the major, and I know he will be down here at a word from
me. I shall let him have the facts, and he can tell the Dimsdales if he
thinks it best. Good-bye, dear; don't be unhappy any more, but remember
that you have friends outside who will very quickly set all right.
Good-bye!" and waving her hand in encouragement, the good widow woke up
the pony, which had fallen fast asleep, and rattled away down the lane
in the direction from which she had come.

CHAPTER XL.

THE MAJOR HAS A LETTER.

At four o'clock Mr. Girdlestone stepped into the Bedsworth telegraph
office and wired his short message. It ran thus: "Case hopeless. Come
on to-morrow with a doctor." On receipt of this he knew by their
agreement that his son would come down, bringing with him the man of
violence whom he had spoken of at their last interview. There was
nothing for it now but that his ward should die. If he delayed longer,
the crash might come before her money was available, and then how vain
all regrets would be.

It seemed to him that there was very little risk in the matter.
The girl had had no communication with any one. Even of those around
her, Mrs. Jorrocks was in her dotage, Rebecca Taylforth was staunch and
true, and Stevens knew nothing. Every one on the country side had heard
of the invalid young lady at the Priory. Who would be surprised to hear
that she had passed away? He dare not call in any local medical man,
bu