Bet walked fast, and presently reached the police-court, where Will was to be tried. A crowd of people were waiting outside; a few policemen stood about. The doors of the building were not yet open. Bet saw Hester Wright standing very near the entrance. She made an effort to get to her, and called her name over the heads of the crowd; but Hester, after looking at her coldly, turned her back without making any response. This action cut Bet to the quick. She found the tears again springing to her eyes. Oh! for one glance, if only the last, of Will's kind face. The minutes dragged themselves along; the crowd increased; but as the right hour had not yet come, the doors remained fast shut. At last, at the stroke of ten, they were opened, and Bet was pressing in with the rest, when she felt a hand laid heavily on her arm. She turned, to see the coarse black-eyed girl who had bought her beat from Granger. "Ef I was you, I'd go home, Bet," said the girl. "You mind your own business," said Bet, shaking her off roughly. "Well--there's a mischief brewing, and I saw what I saw. Don't you say as you wasn't warned; and ef the two little chaps come to grief, it ain't Louisa Perkins' fault." These last words alarmed Bet. "Say out yer say at once," she answered, clutching the girl now, and forcing her back against the crowd who were pushing their way into the building,--"say your say and have done," she repeated. "What has come to the lads? I left them safe not an hour agone." "I saw Granger making off with them." "You didn't--that's a lie! I left them locked up safe in my room." "Granger was hurrying off with them," repeated Louisa, "werry red in the face, and mad like. The captain was crying, and t'other chap had a red mark down his cheek--it's not a quarter of an hour by St. Giles' clock as I saw him." "Where was they going?" asked Bet. "Tell me quick, or I'll shake you." "Down Castle Street, making for Lime Street and the railway station, I expect." Bet ceased to push inwards with the crowd. They went past her, and the little police-court was soon filled to overflowing. Isaac Dent almost rubbed against her shoulder as he went by. He winked at Louisa, but Bet never noticed him. "Hester--Hester Wright!" she suddenly called out. Hester had not yet gone into the police-court. She was standing against one of the posts of the door, watching the crowd as they filed past. "Hester!" repeated Bet. "Hetty--Hetty! Come and speak to me for a minute! I must go, but I want to send a message. Just one word, Hetty,--Hetty, come!" Perhaps Hester did not hear. At any rate, she neither turned nor heeded. Bet gave a low despairing cry; then, flinging her shawl off her shoulders, she ran as fast as if there were wings to her feet in the direction of Sparrow Street. CHAPTER XXIV. She reached her destination very quickly. The smooth-faced landlord was standing at the door.