‘A fine piece of merchandise,’ said a low voice from close by.
Something about the tone invoked a sudden, piercing fear in Bessie, and she shivered. ‘Who is there?’ she said sharply, irritation building along with the fear.
Nobody replied. Bessie waited, in silence as well as darkness, her heart pounding so fiercely she could hear the blood rushing in her ears. She could not shake the creeping sensation that the merchandise spoken of was herself…
She roused herself from her stupor of fright with a strong effort of will, and began to walk. The wisp shed no useful light, and she blundered about in near darkness. She found a wall only by dint of walking into it, and quickly changed direction. Another wall, and another. She was enclosed in some tiny space, like a cupboard, but no door could
