By-and-by the two girls went into the scullery to wash the plates and dishes, for great would have been Mrs Freeman's wrath if she had found them dirty in the morning; and Sam and Annie were alone. Annie immediately seized the opportunity. "Sam," she said, "I am in great trouble." "I be that sorry," murmured Sam. "I know you have a kind heart, Sam." "For you, miss," he managed to stammer. "And you are strong," continued Annie. "I'd knock any chap down as wanted to injure a 'air o' yer 'ead, miss. It's that beautiful, yer 'air is miss, like--like the sunshine when we spends a day in the country." "Do you think you would really help me, Sam?" said Annie. "You has but to ask, miss," said the red-haired giant, placing a huge hand over his heart. "I don't want your sister and her friend to know." "Oh, lawks, miss! you'll turn my 'ead entirely. A secret atween you and me! Well, I'm that obligated I don't know 'ow to speak." "I want to get away from here to-morrow morning," said Annie. "I want to go down to the docks, Sam." "My word!" said Sam. "And I don't know the way," continued Annie. "Do you think that you-- you would come with me and find a ship that is going--a long way from England--where you would take a passage for me? A steerage passage, Sam; I can't afford anything else." "And lose sight on yer, miss, for ever and ever?" "Oh, but--Sam, you promised to help me." "My word!--and I will," said Sam. "They are coming back," said Annie in a husky voice. "I'll get up early--quite early. When do you get up, Sam?" "I am off to my work at five in the mornin'." "How much do you earn a day?" "Five shullin'--and good wage, too." "I will give you a whole sovereign if you will stay away from your work and help me to-morrow. Shall we meet outside this house--just outside-- at five in the morning?" "Oh, my word, yus!" said Sam; "and there's no talk o' sovereigns. It 'ull be jest the greatest pleasure in my whole life to sarve yer, missie." The girls bustled noisily into the kitchen, and Tilda conveyed Annie to her own tiny attic in the roof. Annie refused to undress, but lay down, just as she was, on the hard, uncomfortable bed. For long afterwards she could not quite remember what occurred that night. It was all a horrible nightmare. She was ill; she was dying. Her throat seemed to suffocate her. Every bone in her body ached. She was confronted by ghastly images; unknown and awful terrors pursued her. Something touched her. She screamed. She opened her eyes and recognised Tilda bending over her. "What--what do you want?" she said; for Tilda had just grasped the pocket where the money lay. "Nothing--nothing at all, miss," said Tilda. "You leave that gel alone!" shouted a harsh voice from another attic close by.