Both girls stared at her in utter astonishment. Shirley was the first to grasp the significance of the situation.
“Then it is true!” she exclaimed; “the door was locked! We are prisoners!”
The man of the house bowed low.
“Prisoners, or guests,” he said. “It shall be as you prefer.”
Shirley did not reply, but leaped quickly toward the door. The others were across the room and could not interfere. The door swung open, and Shirley called out:
“Quick, Mabel! Run!”
Mabel sprang after her friend.
But the time taken to open the door proved costly. Before Shirley could dart through it, Mrs. Sebastian had her by both shoulders, while the other woman held Mabel powerless.
Then they led the girls back into the room and bade them sit down. Perceiving the uselessness of resistance, the girls obeyed.
Mabel immediately broke into tears, and Shirley threw her arms about her.