They won't do anything to him, for certain." She little dreamed how black the case was against him.
But the sight of the girl seemed to change her aunt's overwhelming grief to sudden and violent anger against herself.

Springing to her feet, she snatched the heavy whip from the van, and brought it down with all the force of which she was capable across Huldah's shoulders.
"It's all your fault!" she screamed, "it's all your fault! It was only to get hold of you that he offered the fellow the money, and if you hadn't run away he'd never have had to do it.

'Tis all your fault he's took, and I'll make you smart for it, my lady!" and seizing the poor shrinking, frightened child, she beat her until her arm dropped to her side exhausted.
"Stop that!" cried a stern voice, loudly.

Huldah and her aunt fell back, shocked and startled by the sight of another policeman close to them.

In the noise and excitement they had not heard anyone approaching.