"Why had she started for home without making sure about Anna?
How wrong it was of her not to turn back! What would Aunt Pike say when she knew ?" and so the thoughts poured through her mind until she was well-nigh distracted.
Tony, worn out by his long day in the fresh air, was fast asleep.
Betty, exhausted by excitement and alarm, was scarcely able to keep awake.

The servants were in the kitchen regaling themselves and Jabez with supper and a dish of horrors, when suddenly Kitty sprang to her feet with the force of an idea that had come to her.

She would take the carriage and Jabez, and drive very slowly and carefully by another road straight back to Helbarrow Tors.

They would inquire at every house they passed, and--only she did not tell Jabez this, for fear of alarming him--if need be, they would search even the tors themselves.
It would be very difficult, she knew; but what did difficulties matter at such a time as this?
With Anna lost on such a night, her father and aunt away, and she alone responsible, they must do something, they must, they must, and quickly too.

She looked at the clock; it was only seven.
There was just a chance that they might find Anna and have her home in warmth and safety by ten.