It was not till the morning that she examined the door, to see if she could not manage to get out and escape from the house, for she shared with the rest of the family an indescribable fear of Mrs Oldcastle and her confidante, the White Wolf. But she found it was of no use: the lock was at least as strong as the door. Being a sensible girl and self-possessed, as her parents’ child ought to be, she made no noise, but waited patiently for what might come. At length, hearing a step in the passage, she tapped gently at the door and called, “Who’s there?” The cook’s voice answered. “Let me out,” said Jane. “The door’s locked.” The cook tried, but found there was no key. Jane told her how she came there, and the cook promised to get her out as soon as she could. Meantime all she could do for her was to hand her a loaf of bread on a stick from the next window. It had been long dark before some one unlocked the door, and left her at liberty to go where she pleased, of which she did not fail to make immediate use. Unable to find her young mistress, she packed her box, and, leaving it behind her, escaped to her father. As soon as she had told him the story, he came straight to me. CHAPTER XXXII. THE NEXT THING. As I sat in my study, in the twilight of that same day, the door was hurriedly opened, and Judy entered. She looked about the room with a quick glance to see that we were alone, then caught my hand in both of hers, and burst out crying. “Why, Judy!” I said, “what IS the matter?” But the sobs would not allow her to answer. I was too frightened to put any more questions, and so stood silent—my chest feeling like an empty tomb that waited for death to fill it. At length with a strong effort she checked the succession of her sobs, and spoke. “They are killing auntie. She looks like a ghost already,” said the child, again bursting into tears. “Tell me, Judy, what CAN I do for her?” “You must find out, Mr Walton. If you loved her as much as I do, you would find out what to do.” “But she will not let me do anything for her.” “Yes, she will. She says you promised to help her some day.” “Did she send you, then?” “No. She did not send me.” “Then how—what—what can I do!” “Oh, you exact people! You must have everything square and in print before you move. If it had been me now, wouldn’t I have been off like a shot! Do get your hat, Mr Walton.” “Come, then, Judy. I will go at once.—Shall I see her?” And every vein throbbed at the thought of rescuing her from her persecutors, though I had not yet the smallest idea how it was to be effected. “We will talk about that as we go,” said Judy, authoritatively.