But 'The best-laid schemes o' mice and men Gang aft agley.' At Alexandria, Trelawny found waiting a cable stating that Mrs.
Trelawny had died in giving birth to a daughter.
"Her stricken husband hurried off at once by the Orient Express; and I had to bring the treasure alone to the desolate house.

I got to London all safe; there seemed to be some special good fortune to our journey.
When I got to this house, the funeral had long been over.

The child had been put out to nurse, and Mr.Trelawny had so far recovered from the shock of his loss that he had set himself to take up again the broken threads of his life and his work.

That he had had a shock, and a bad one, was apparent.

The sudden grey in his black hair was proof enough in itself; but in addition, the strong cast of his features had become set and stern.