The fright and the walk, so long for her, had nearly killed her.
Dinah came quickly to the door, in response to the frightened frantic knock, and as she opened it Martha Perry fell in at her feet, faint and helpless.
"My--Huldah"-- she panted, "he's found her; he's taken her--away--and Dick too! Help me--to--" then, as they raised her and carried her into the kitchen, she lost consciousness entirely.
When she opened her eyes again Miss Rose was standing beside her.
"Huldah! where's my Huldah ?" she cried, her poor eyes filling with tears.

"What--can we do ?" 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.