Let me be with you--let me call him!"--and she knelt outside the
closed door--"Dad! Dear Dad! I want to speak to you! Mayn't I come
in? I'm so frightened--do let me come in. Dad!"

But the silence remained unbroken.

"Priscilla!"--and Robin beckoned to her--"keep Innocent beside
you--I'm afraid--"

Priscilla nodded, turning her head aside a moment to wipe away the
tears that were gathering in her eyes,--then she put an arm round
Innocent's waist.

"Don't kneel there, lovey," she whispered--"It's no good and
you're in the way when they open the door. Come with me!--there's
a dear!"--and she drew the trembling little figure tenderly into
her arms. "There!--that'll be a bit warmer!" and she signed to one
of the farm maids near her to fetch a cloak which she carefully
wrapped round the girl's shoulders. Just then the hammer was
brought with other tools, and Robin, to save any needless clamour,
took a chisel and inserted it in such a manner as should most
easily force the catch of the door--but the lock was an ancient
and a strong one, and would not yield for some time. At last, with
an extra powerful and dexterous movement of his hand, it suddenly
gave way--and he saw what he would have given worlds that Innocent
should not have seen--old Hugo lying face forward on the floor,
motionless. There was a rush and a wild cry--

"Dad! Dad!"