If she could get out of the house and into the grounds unobserved, all would be well. Fortune favored her; no one was in sight.
She made her way to the railway station, and bought a ticket for Washington. On the train was quite a number of people whom she had met before. But they did not recognize her with the veil pulled so closely over her face.
The world seemed to stand still; but her heart seemed to beat wildly, as she thought of it all.
At last Washington was reached, and for a minute she stood irresolute as she stepped upon the platform of the depot. Then she timidly crossed over to where a policeman stood.
"I—I would like to be directed to a pawn-broker's store, if—if you know where there is one," she said.
The guardian of the peace looked at her suspiciously.
It was a part of his business to believe all strangers dishonest until he found them otherwise.
"Are you so much in need of money as to have to resort to that?" he asked, taking in the stylish make and fine texture of the clothes she wore.
"Yes," she answered, timidly.
The policeman pointed to a store a couple of blocks further up, and Ida started for the place indicated, after stopping to inquire when the train returned to where she had come from.