Mrs. Cragg's heart stood still. Pattie turned the handle, and the door refused to open.
"Why, it is locked! How funny!"
"Ma-ma doned it," Dot said promptly.
"Why should ma-ma lock it, Dot? How funny!" repeated Pattie. "Something must be wrong with the door, I think. It seemed all right this morning. Well, never mind. I'll get you the red soldier by-and-by, when I can have my purse. We'll take another little turn now, till ma-ma comes home, and then we'll tell her about the lock. Come, dear."
Again the voices ceased. Mrs. Cragg strained her hearing to listen. She heard the front door open and close. Then she slipped out, shutting the door behind her, and fleeing upstairs to her own room. She would not attempt at once to read the letters in her possession, but put them into an under pocket, and hurriedly donned her walking things. On her way to the front door she encountered the girl.
"Please, 'm, Mr. Cragg wants to see yer."
"Where is he, Ann?"
"I dunno. He come all round, hunting for yer."
"Oh, well; I can go out that way."
"And he tried to get into Miss Pattie's room, and he couldn't open the door. She was out, and the door was fastened."