m her heavy sleep, had heard the sound of
voices, and looking cautiously out of the window, had caught sight of
the policeman grasping her husband by the arm. Day and night for
years she had been fearing this, and now it had actually happened!
The shock was too much for her. Scream after scream pierced their
ears, as she staggered out of the van and flung herself upon her
husband.

The screams, which roused Dick to a fury of barking, and startled
even poor old worn-out Charlie, wakened Huldah from the deep sleep
into which she had fallen, exhausted by sorrow.

Springing from her bed, she saw the policeman, and that he had his
hand on her uncle, holding him securely, in spite of Aunt Emma's
attack. But why was Bob Thorp there, too? Huldah recognised him
with a shock of surprise and fear.

For a moment she gazed frightened yet fascinated at the group, then
across her mind flashed the thought, Here was her chance of escape!
Quick as thought she caught up a knife from the table, and slipping
down the steps cut the rope which held Dick, then, sheltered from
view by the van itself, she clambered through the hedge with the dog
at her heels, and away and away as fast as her feet could cover the
ground. Her aunt's screams deadened any other noise, and her aunt's
furious attack took all the attention of the three men, so that
escape was easy.

It never entered Huldah's head that the policeman had come on her
account, and that she was safer now than ever in her life before.
She did not know there had been time to communicate with the police,
and the one thought that had filled her mind all these weary hours
was escape, and getting back to Mrs. Perry.

At first she raced wildly, but before very long her strength gave
out, her excitement died down. Her pace grew slower and slower, more
and more halting, and then finally she stopped. Thoughts of her Aunt
Emma would force themselves on her mind. If her uncle was taken to
jail, her aunt would be left alone with the horse and van.
What would she do, day and night alone? How could she manage?
Could she, Huldah, go and leave her like that!--but could she live
that dreadful life again! Every day going further and further from
Miss Rose and Mrs. Perry, and the dear little cottage, never perhaps
to see them again! Huldah sat down on a bank underneath the hedge,
to try and think the matter out. Dick came back from his happy
wanderings and sat beside her, staring at her with