1876 to the year
1877, and under that date, she would see the fatal report, heading the
top of a column, and printed in conspicuous type.

In the meanwhile Emily had broken the silence, before it could lead to
embarrassing results, by asking if Alban had seen Mrs. Rook again, on
the morning when he left Sir Jervis's house.

"There was nothing to be gained by seeing her," Alban replied. "Now that
she and her husband had decided to remain at Redwood Hall, I knew where
to find her in case of necessity. As it happened I saw nobody, on the
morning of my departure, but Sir Jervis himself. He still held to his
idea of having his pictures cleaned for nothing. 'If you can't do it
yourself,' he said, 'couldn't you teach my secretary?' He described the
lady whom he had engaged in your place as a 'nasty middle-aged woman
with a perpetual cold in her head.' At the same time (he remarked) he
was a friend to the women, 'because he got them cheap.' I declined to
teach the unfortunate secretary the art of picture-cleaning. Finding me
determined, Sir Jervis was quite ready to say good-by. But he made use
of me to the last. He employed me as postman and saved a stamp. The
letter addressed to you arrived at breakfast-time. Sir Jervis said, 'You
are going to London; suppose you take it with you?'"

"Did he tell you that there was a letter of his own inclosed in the
envelope?"

"No. When he gave me the envelope it was already sealed."

Emily at once handed to him Sir Jervis's letter. "That will tell you who
employs me at the Museum, and what my work is," she said.

He looked through the letter, and at once offered--eagerly offered--to
help her.

"I have been a student in the reading-room at intervals, for years
past," he said. "Let me assist you, and I shall have something to do in
my holiday time." He was so anxious to be of use that he interrupted her
before she could thank him. "Let us take alternate years," he suggested.
"Did you not tell me you were searching the newspapers published in
eighteen hundred and seventy-six?"

"Yes."

"Very well. I will take the next year. You will take the year after. And
so on."

"You are very kind," she answered--"but I should like to propose an
improvement on your plan."

"What improvement?" he asked, rather sharply.

"If you will leave the five years, from 'seventy-six to 'eighty-one,
entirely to me," she resumed, "and take the next five years, reckoning
_backward_ from 'seventy-six, you