A woman emerged from the darkness with tangled hair and a face worn by fear and determination.

Her clothes were plain, and one shoulder leaned against the frame as if she had been injured.

“Are you Elijah Carter?” she whispered.

He nodded.

“Lydia Vale?” She touched his sleeve.

“If my sister sent you, she’s finally listening.” Elijah answered, “She knows you’re here.” Lydia closed her eyes for one brief moment.

Then she reached behind her and brought out a small boy who could not have been more than six.

“We can’t leave him,” she said.

“His name is Thomas.

He heard the guards say they would move him tomorrow.” Elijah looked down the passage, searching for others.

Lydia shook her head.

“The remaining people were taken yesterday.

I followed the cart’s wheels until they closed the door.”

The sound of footsteps on the stairs froze them.

Elijah pushed Lydia and Thomas behind the coal sacks and replaced the panel enough to conceal the opening.

Crowe entered holding a lantern.

“What takes so long?” he demanded.

Elijah showed him the old pipe.

“The water runs under the stone.

It will back into the wall if I leave the joint loose.” Crowe examined the work with suspicion.

Behind the sacks Thomas began coughing, a dry sound the child tried to bury in his sleeve.

Elijah knocked his hammer against the drainpipe to cover it.

Crowe stared at him, then called for a second lantern.

Time was running out.

Upstairs Catherine heard Crowe asking Richard to inspect the work.

She stood so abruptly that pain shot through her ankle.

“Richard, I need you,” she said, gripping the table.

“The doctor warned that I might faint if I stand too quickly.” Richard swore softly and moved to her side, unwilling to create a scene before his guests.

Catherine allowed herself to lean against him while Mrs.

Fenwick called for water.

Downstairs Crowe hesitated between obeying Richard’s earlier order and investigating the noise.

Elijah used the moment to lift the coal-room window, a narrow opening above ground level.

Mercy waited outside beneath the hedge, exactly where they had agreed.

Chapter 20: Three People Through the Window

Elijah passed Thomas through the small cellar window first.

The boy was frightened of the darkness beyond the glass and clung to the frame.

Mercy whispered his name and promised only that she would hold him securely.

He let go, sliding into her arms with a faint grunt.

Lydia followed, moving carefully because her shoulder would not rise above chest height.