Part 5 (1/2)

There was another subdued shriek, then a hysterical giggle.

”Judy is shut up in the ice-box,” announced Anne, hurrying up from the bas.e.m.e.nt.

”Bless my soul,” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the Judge.

”We hunted around and found the key,” explained Anne, as the Judge stumped distractedly through the lower hall, ”and Judy unlocked the door of the ice-box and got inside, and she still had the key in her hand, and I hit the door accidentally and it slammed on her, and it has a spring lock and we can't open it.”

”Bless my soul,” said the Judge again.

The ice-box was a ma.s.sive affair, almost like a small room. It was in a remote corner of the lower hallway, and its walls were thick and impenetrable.

”Let me out, oh, let me out,” came in m.u.f.fled tones, as the Judge and Anne came up.

”My dear child, my dear child,” said the Judge, ”how could you do such a thing?”

”I shall freeze. I shall freeze,” wailed Judy.

”Are you very cold, Judy?” s.h.i.+vered Anne, sympathetically.

”It's so dark--and damp. Let me out, let me out,” and Judy's voice rose to a shriek.

”Now, my dear, be calm,” advised the Judge, whose hands were shaking with nervousness, ”I shall call Perkins--yes, I really think I shall have to call Perkins--” and he hurried through the hall to the speaking tubes.

”Is there anything to eat in there?” Anne asked through the keyhole.

”Lots of things,” said Judy. ”I lighted a match as I came in, and there are lots of things. But I don't want anything to eat--I want to get out--I want to get out.”

”Don't cry, Judy,” advised Anne soothingly, ”the Judge has called Perkins and he is coming down now.”

Perkins emerged into the light of the lower hallway in a state of informal attire and unsettled temper. His dignity was his stock in trade, and how could one be dignified in an old overcoat and bedroom slippers? But the Judge's summons had been peremptory and there had been no time for the niceties of toilet in which Perkins' orderly soul revelled.

”There ain't no other key,” he said, severely. ”I guess we will have to wait until mornin', sir.”

”But we can't wait until morning,” raged the Judge, ”the young lady will freeze.”

”Oh, no, sir,” said Perkins, loftily, ”oh, no, sir, she won't freeze.

Nothing freezes in that there box, sir.”

”Well, she will die of cold,” said the Judge. ”Don't be a blockhead, Perkins, we have got to get her out now--at once--Perkins.”

”All right, sir,” said Perkins, ”then I'll have to go for a locksmith, sir--”

”Can't you take off the lock?” asked the Judge.

Perkins drew himself up. ”That's not my work, sir,” he said, stiffly, ”no, sir, I can't take off no locks, sir,” and so the Judge had to be content, while the independent Perkins hunted up a locksmith and brought him to the scene of disaster.

It was a white and somewhat cowed Judy that came out of the ice-box.