The late afternoon papers carried a more important piece of information. Reporters had visited Lord and Lady Corkberry at Sedgecombe Place to learn in which orphanage Margaret had lived. They discovered that the moment Lady Corkberry had found out the terrible conditions in the orphanage the Matron had been dismissed and never heard of since. The news stands carried banner headlines, ‘Where is Matron?’ and the newsboys screeched the question up and down the streets.

This entirely changed the picture. Before, it had been supposed that Margaret had been taken out of London, now it was likely she was still there. The police used on the case were doubled. Lou strained her ears for more gossip.

Up in Katie’s rooms Liza tried to do what Miss Grey had told her. She had eaten her lunch, then been tucked up on Miss Grey’s bed to sleep, but it was hopeless. She had never been so nervous in her life. She knew she knew the part, but would she be able to talk like a lady for three Acts? Oh, why was she lying on Miss Grey’s bed looking at a book she did not want to read, when the place for her was out in the streets searching for news of Margaret? Suddenly it was all too much for her, she rolled over on to her face and broke into loud, hiccupping sobs.

Only Miss Grey heard Liza crying, for Katie was in the kitchen with Mrs Melly having a cookery lesson, and at once Liza was in Miss Grey’s arms.

‘Don’t cry, pet. Margaret will be found, I’m sure of it.’

‘It’s not only Margaret,’ Liza gasped, ‘it’s me as Anastasia. I pretend I’ll be all right but I know I won’t talk refined all night.’

‘Oh yes, you will,’ Miss Grey promised. ‘You know you can do it, you’ve done it at rehearsals.’

‘Yes, but it’s both things. I never talked refined with Margaret stolen. I want to go out and help look for her.’

Miss Grey stroked Liza’s hair.

‘Try not to worry. Katie and I will come and sit in your dressing room, and after the play Sarah is going to sit with Katie while I walk home with you. Now, get up and wash your face and then you can go down to the kitchen and see what Katie has made for our tea.’

Lying on the floor tied to the mangle, it seemed to Margaret after her bold declaration to the rats that the rustlings and scufflings ceased. This made her more scared. Perhaps rats were gathering in force to bite her and she could do nothing to protect herself. Anyway how could she fight rats? Liza had told her that London sewer rats were as big as dogs.

Then suddenly a hand was placed on hers, a small child’s hand, then she could hear a dragging sound; slowly, inch by inch, a child crawled into view. It was Simon.

‘Simon!’ Margaret gasped. ‘How glad I am to see you! Untie me quickly so I can get away.’