The policeman stepped over and laid his hand on Tom Smith’s shoulder.  “There’s one or two other little matters too,” he said.  “You’re wanted for some little affair about a girl and a dog.  Is that the dog?”

“She’s my own niece—­”

“Is she?  All right; you’ve only got to prove it, and that you’re her lawful guardian, and a fit and proper person—­”

A sharp scream suddenly rent the air, and made them all start.  Emma Smith, waking from her heavy sleep, had heard the sound of voices, and looking cautiously out of the window, had caught sight of the policeman grasping her husband by the arm.  Day and night for years she had been fearing this, and now it had actually happened!  The shock was too much for her.  Scream after scream pierced their ears, as she staggered out of the van and flung herself upon her husband.

The screams, which roused Dick to a fury of barking, and startled even poor old worn-out Charlie, wakened Huldah from the deep sleep into which she had fallen, exhausted by sorrow.

Springing from her bed, she saw the policeman, and that he had his hand on her uncle, holding him securely, in spite of Aunt Emma’s attack.  But why was Bob Thorp there, too?  Huldah recognised him with a shock of surprise and fear.

For a moment she gazed frightened yet fascinated at the group, then across her mind flashed the thought, Here was her chance of escape!  Quick as thought she caught up a knife from the table, and slipping down the steps cut the rope which held Dick, then, sheltered from view by the van itself, she clambered through the hedge with the dog at her heels, and away and away as fast as her feet could cover the ground.  Her aunt’s screams deadened any other noise, and her aunt’s furious attack took all the attention of the three men, so that escape was easy.

It never entered Huldah’s head that the policeman had come on her account, and that she was safer now than ever in her life before.  She did not know there had been time to communicate with the police, and the one thought that had filled her mind all these weary hours was escape, and getting back to Mrs. Perry.

At first she raced wildly, but before very long her strength gave out, her excitement died down.  Her pace grew slower and slower, more and more halting, and then finally she stopped.  Thoughts of her Aunt Emma would force themselves on her mind.  If her uncle was taken to jail, her aunt would be left alone with the horse and van.  What would she do, day and night alone?  How could she manage?  Could she, Huldah, go and leave her like that!—­but could she live that dreadful life again!  Every day going further and further from Miss Rose and Mrs. Perry, and the dear little cottage, never perhaps to see them again!  Huldah sat down on a bank underneath the hedge, to try and think the matter out.  Dick came back from his happy wanderings and sat beside her, staring at her with wistful eyes, for he saw that she was in trouble, but why she should be was more than he could understand,—­for were they not away together, and on their way home?