By this Miss Plympton understood the worst, and fully believed that
Edith was under strict restraint.

"My good man," said she, solemnly, "you and your master are committing a
great crime in daring to keep any one here in imprisonment, especially
the one who owns these estates. I warn him now to beware, for Miss
Dalton has powerful friends. As to you, you may not know that you are
breaking the law now, and are liable to transportation for life. Come,
don't break the laws and incur such danger. If I choose I can bring here
to-morrow the officers of the law, release Miss Dalton, and have you and
your master arrested."

At this the man looked troubled. He scratched his head, drew a long
breath, and looked at the ground with a frown.

Miss Plympton, seeing that this shot had told, followed it up.

"Refuse me admittance," said she, "and I will bring back those who will
come here in the name of the law; but if you let me in, I promise to say
nothing about this matter."

The porter now seemed to have recovered himself. He raised his head, and
the old monotonous reply came:

"Sorry, mum, but it's agin orders."

Miss Plympton made one further attempt. She drew forth her purse, and
displayed its contents.

"See," said she, "you will be doing a kindness to your master, and you