Late on that same evening Rover at the old Rectory thought it expedient to raise his voice in the extreme of exasperation and anger. A stranger of the sort that ought not to be seen about the Rectory gardens was daring to approach the back-door right through Rover's special territory. Luckily for the red-haired giant, Rover could not get at him beyond the limit of his chain. The giant knocked at the back-door, and presently a timid-looking woman, who had been called in to help to nurse Mrs Shelf, opened the door about an inch. "Now what is up?" she said. "You get out of this; you are a stranger here, and we don't want parties of your sort about." "I ha' come," said Sam, "with a message from one as calls herself Annie." Mrs Shelf was still lying on the sofa in the kitchen. She was feeling far too weak and shaky to rise; but at the name strength seemed to come into her like magic. She tottered off her sofa and approached the door. "Whoever you are, come right in," she said. Sam entered and stood gloomily leaning up against the dresser. "What is your message?" said Mrs Shelf. "Do tell me quickly! Do you know where Annie Brooke is?" "In the Great Northern Hospital," said Sam Freeman, "where I left her this mornin'. She said I was to come here and say--that her sin had found her out. She guv me five pounds to come and give the message. It's a sight too much money. I tuk a third-class ticket down, and 'ere's the change." He put three sovereigns and a pile of silver on the table. "I tuk a return ticket," he said. "I'll be off, arter givin' my message." "But tell us everything," said Mrs Shelf. "Why, we are just mad to know. Whatever do you mean?" Thus abjured, Sam did tell what little he knew. Annie had come back with his sister and a friend of hers to their house the night before, and she had wanted him to help her, and he had arranged to do it. But in the morning she was taken bad--very bad--and lost her head, only first of all she was able to give him more than enough money to come to Rashleigh, and a message which he was to convey to the old folks at the Rectory. "Can't make 'ead nor tail on it," said the giant; "for if ever there was a beautiful, 'eavenly creature, it were her. Why, I tak her in these arms to the 'ospital. Oh, she's like to die!" he continued. "You'd best go to Annie if ever you want to see her again." "And so I will--and this night, too," said Mrs Shelf. "I'll go right along back with you; but first of all I must send a telegraphic message to Mr John Saxon." In vain the neighbour who had been put in charge of Mrs Shelf expostulated with her in regard to her madness in going to London. "If this is madness," was the sturdy woman's reply, "I would rather be mad than sane. Is not _his_ bit lamb in danger and suffering, and am I the one to keep away from her?"