"Indeed, madam, and is it any wonder?" the girl asked. "I am so helpless, and I could wish to be so strong. Every hour counts, and what can I do?" "You have travelled far to ask my help, that is something." "Yes, madam; but yesterday you gave me little hope, and even that little is gone. In this matter you are as helpless as I am." Barbara laughed, a little hardly perhaps, remembering in which direction her power lay. "Had I been powerless, do you suppose your master would have sent you to me? I have had to decide whether I shall use that power." "And you will use it?" "I have already tried to do so this morning, and failed." "Here? In London?" "Yes. In which direction did you imagine my power lay?" "I could not tell, but I thought--I thought it must be in Dorchester where my master is a prisoner. Madam, there are powerful men in the West who may be bribed, who are being bribed every day. I thought it was with them you would have to deal." "The man I hoped to see in London is gone to the West," said Barbara. "Then--" "Yes, I intend to follow him, and at once. In this enterprise you will be of more service to me than my own maid. Will you go with me?" "Gladly, madam," and the girl's face brightened at once. "I have made the journey to London more than once, and know that at the house where the coach stops a carriage and horses can be procured." "You are beginning to make yourself useful at once," Barbara returned. "Wait here for me. I have to give my maid instructions, and then we will start without delay." Barbara told her maid to be on the watch for Martin Fairley, and to tell him that she had gone to Dorchester. "He will understand why," she said; "and as I shall not want you with me, and yet do not want you to be questioned, you had better return to the Abbey as soon as you have seen Martin. Be sure and do not let anyone hear you give the message." The girl had friends in London, and asked if she might spend a day or two with them before returning to Aylingford. "It will fit my plan excellently," Barbara answered. "Leave this house as soon as you possibly can after seeing Martin, and if your friends will have you, stay with them until I send for you. You will be well out of the way of questions." "No questions would make me betray you," said the girl. "I know, but your face is a tell-tale one," Barbara answered. "You have the virtue of not being able to lie easily." The girl was honest, and it was no fault of hers that she failed to deliver her message to Martin Fairley. She saw him come to the house, and hurried down to him, meaning to catch him in the square and speak to him where none could overhear her, and so carry out her mistress's instructions to the letter. But Fairley had departed quickly, and was nowhere to be seen. For some time she waited for his return, and when he did not come, thought it best to fulfil the other part of her instructions and leave the house at once.