Part 62 (1/2)

Gertrude's tears began to flow and half blinded her, but she hurried away to prepare herself, while Huish walked quickly from room to room, muttering impatiently. Not that there was much need, for Gertrude reappeared at the end of a minute or two, rapidly tying on her hat, to find the gas turned down.

”I am ready, dear,” she said, laying her hand upon his arm.

”That's right,” he cried. ”Come along!”

”Shall I tell cook how long we shall be?” said Gertrude.

”No, no. Come along,” he cried impatiently, and, hurrying her out of the house, he helped her into a cab. ”Cannon Street Station,” he cried to the driver, and jumping in beside her, the cab rattled off.

”Are we going to leave town, dear?”

”You'll soon see,” he cried. ”I can't talk to you now; the cab-wheels make so much noise. Can't you trust me?”

”Oh yes,” she cried, laying her hand upon his arm, ”but you forget how anxious I am to know more.”

”Well, well, be patient,” he cried. ”There, if you must know, I have been short of money.”

”Yes, dear, of course. I knew. You forget,” she said piteously.

”Yes, of course,” he replied. ”Well, I was arrested for debt, and I have got away. We must stay in private--there, I'll speak plainly--in hiding for a time.”

”Oh, John dear, this is very terrible!” she cried. ”Why not go to Uncle Robert? He would help us, I am sure.”

”Yes, perhaps so. We will settle that afterwards. The first thing is to get to a place of safety.”

”Safety, John dear?”

”Well, you don't want me to remain in prison?” he said.

”Oh no, dear,” she cried, clinging to him. ”But, d.i.c.k--my father!”

”What about them?” he said sharply.

”What did they say to you?”

”When? How?” he asked.

”They came after you, dear,” she said simply.

”Oh yes; they are busy with the police, of course.”

She sat listening to the noise of the cab-wheels as it rattled along in the direction of the City.

Nothing more was said till the vehicle drew up, when Huish leaped out and helped her to alight. He then handed the cabman a liberal fare and exclaimed: ”Come along, or we shall miss the train.”

He hurried her into the station, along the platform, and into the waiting-room.

”Sit down a minute,” he exclaimed, and he went to the door to look out, but returned directly, looking so strange that Gertrude shrank from him involuntarily, and had to make an effort to master a curious feeling of repugnance which came over her.

He drew her arm quickly through his, and, bidding her lower her veil, led her hastily out of the station, across the road and into a narrow lane.