The Explorer

ark, and, when Alec's business permitted, they went to the National Gallery. Then he took her to the Natural History Museum, and his conversation, in face of the furred an

o many words, she felt it in every inflecti

the day fixed

ict at Lady Kelsey's. Dick and Robert Boulger were subpoenaed as witnesses. In order that she might be put out of

passed with

any moment. After some time Canon Spratte, the vicar of the church which Lady Kelsey attended, sent up to ask if he might see her; and Mrs. Crowley, thinki

to her eyes. 'I shall never cease blaming myself. Nothing

he was a stout, amiable woman, who had clothed herself in black

matter of life and death. But it was such a large sum, and I've given him so much already. After all, I've got to think of Lucy and Geor

heart, Lady Kelsey,' said Mrs. Cr

at one period I used to see a good deal of Fred Allerton. I can't

l be a lesson to him. He's like a child in business matters. Oh, it's a

everything will turn out quite well. In a

and shook hands

d of you to co

hom he liked because she was

e him farewell. 'A clergyman always helps one

l note of the remark, which he though

sked Mrs. Crowley,

of amazement, half of annoyance, which a very emotio

Heaven only knows how she can do it. I tried, and all the lette

y's disposal, and it was arranged that the two children should take their father t

ve done without you,' said Mrs. Crow

e, who's very much too rich as it is, and I love Lucy and George as if they were my o

d how much of the old feeling still remained. She felt a great pity for the kind, unselfish crea

you been? Why didn't y

t fortnight had told on him enormously, and it wa

dn't promised father not to go into court. Anything would have been better than this awful suspense.

ou didn't imagine that your

'But I can't help being frightfully anxious. The papers are awful. They've got

ivered wi

awful!'

Crowley sat in silence, not knowing what

not guilty,' mo

to Oxford again after this. I don't know what the devil's to become

don't,' sai

ep back the bitter words that he had turned over in h

oth of us, and we have to live on your charity? I should have thought that would have sat

you talk of your

ith wild eyes. But at that moment a cab d

nd Bobbie. They've

nd opened it. They w

he cried

We left just as the

eorge, with an expl

old man,'

u stay?' moane

said Dick. 'It

as it

of it. My mind was in a whir

up to Lady Kelse

r a little while, dear,' she said

g headache,' gro

here as soon as its over. But you m

nd lie down,' s

g open the window and stood on the balcony, w

good fellow,' said Dick to Robe

e a fuss now that it's nearly over. Unc

When Robert had gone on to the balcony

that wretched man in the dock. He looked like a hunted beast, his face was all grey wi

s bearing it so well

when the magistrate refused to renew his bail, his confidence never deserted him. It was only to-day, when the whole thing was unrolled before him, that he ap

r came into Mrs

nk he's guilty

er steadily, but

vinced that he'

won

earth do

gged his

ty,' cried Mrs. Crowl

e away from his mind the dr

You've never met him, you don't know him; but I've known him intimately for twenty years. He couldn't have swindled that w

glad to hear

ted. From the balcony they heard George talking

unhappy man. I've dined with him times out of number; I've stay

tly and walked up

Alec come? He swore he'd bolt round t

s dreadful,' sa

at the little American, bu

e. They are as unable to distinguish between right and w

y that?' asked

r. She went up t

it. You must tell me. D

is hands ov

ence was

George sprang

e's just driving

rs. Crowley. 'If it had lasted

ent to t

er. He has orders

sters, as the bell of t

er, let Mr. M

sir,' answer

. The elder woman had broken down altogether and was sobbing distractedly. Lucy was

of you to com

aid Mrs. Crowley, wit

miled

all ov

d she walked eag

u'd bring father with

Alec's face. Though her cheeks were pa

s the m

ll right?'

d that Alec could not find words. There was a horribl

pare yourself for a grea

y. 'Where's father? Why did

ntrol. She made an effort. Alec would not speak, and she was obliged

ld us what the

,' he a

k to her cheeks, and her

t. He swore that he hadn't done it.

od there wer

ink he's guil

or a moment they looked

he sentence

him. He made some very viole

e what

u wish to tort

nt to

e odious, and the way in which he had induced that woman to part with her money

to a chair, burst into tears. Lu

must bear up. Now we want all

t bear it,'

n and kissed

earest, be brav

ight. Dick took him by the arm and led him away. Lucy tur

u answer me quite truthfully, whatever

wil

inning, you know all the details of

t matter wh

you to

r a moment. His v

fraid I should have had no alter

and heavy tears ro