Miss Rose's face was very white, but her eyes were brave and smiling.
"It's all right, Martha, dear. She will be back with you to-morrow,
I hope. We have sent to the police; they are to take the matter up,
and see it through, and we have telegraphed to Belmouth, and
Woodleigh, and Crinnock, to tell the police there to look out for the
man, and stop him."

Mrs. Perry moaned with disappointment, she could not help it, when
she thought of poor Huldah, every moment going further and further
from them all. Longing, hoping, expecting every moment that someone
would overtake them and save her, straining her ears to hear help
coming,--and then, at last, in utter hopeless despair realising that
she was left to herself, helpless, broken-hearted! She would not
know that it was only for one night, and that help was coming in the
morning.

Martha tried to smile back at Miss Rose, and to seem pleased, but her
misery was too great. Then an idea came to her, which brought her
swiftly to her feet, with new hope in her heart. Perhaps, oh,
perhaps, Huldah and Dick might manage again to escape! If they did,
they would go to her, surely! Of course she should be at home to
receive them! She told Miss Rose, and though Miss Rose scarcely
believed it possible, she thought it kinder to humour her,--besides
which there was just the chance,--a chance which could not be missed.

So the two went back to the cottage, where the lamplight still shone
out cheerfully through the open door. For a moment hope leaped in
their hearts, then a glance round the little kitchen assured them
that it was deserted still, and hope died down again.