"You're wanted for some little affair about a girl and a dog.
Is that the dog?"
"She's my own niece--"
"Is she? All right; you've only got to prove it, and that you're her
lawful guardian, and a fit and proper person--"
A sharp scream suddenly rent the air, and made them all start.
Emma Smith, waking from her heavy sleep, had heard the sound of
voices, and looking cautiously out of the window, had caught sight of
the policeman grasping her husband by the arm. Day and night for
years she had been fearing this, and now it had actually happened!
The shock was too much for her. Scream after scream pierced their
ears, as she staggered out of the van and flung herself upon her
husband.
The screams, which roused Dick to a fury of barking, and startled
even poor old worn-out Charlie, wakened Huldah from the deep sleep
into which she had fallen, exhausted by sorrow.
Springing from her bed, she saw the policeman, and that he had his
hand on her uncle, holding him securely, in spite of Aunt Emma's
attack. But why was Bob Thorp there, too? Huldah recognised him
with a shock of surprise and fear.
For a moment she gazed frightened yet fascinated at the group, then
across her mind flashed the thought, Here was her chance of escape!
Quick as thought she caught up a knife from the table, and slipping
down the steps cut the rope which held Dick, then, sheltered from
view by the van itself, she clambered through the hedge with the dog
at her heels, and away and away as fast as her feet could cover the
ground.
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