ing eyes.

"P'raps you'll say you didn't take her to your rooms next," said Wilfer.

"I don't deny it," replied Adrien calmly. "I found her on a doorstep,
starving with hunger, fleeing from a drunken uncle, as she said. There
was nowhere else to take her, being late at night; so I took her to my
chambers and fed her, then gave her into the charge of Norgate and the
housekeeper until morning, when I learned that she had disappeared. That
is all I can tell you about her; for I have not seen her since."

"But I have," came a voice--a woman's voice--behind them, "and I have
brought her here."

The little company turned round, and Adrien started as his eyes fell
upon the three new-comers.

"Ada," he cried. "What is the meaning of this intrusion?"

"No intrusion this time, Mr. Leroy," she said firmly. "I am here by your
father's own invitation."

Jasper, who during Wilfer's outburst had made no effort to go away, now,
at the sight of Miss Lester--who looked around her triumphantly, for
this was just the kind of scene she enjoyed--made an effort to slip
past; but he was held prisoner by Shelton.

"Quite right, Miss Lester," said Lord Barminster, courteously. "Perhaps
you will tell us what you know of the young lady." He glanced kindly at
the shrinking figure of Jessica, who stood with adoring eyes fixed on
Adrien.

"Well, I ought to know something of her," was that lady's retort. "I'm
her aunt. I paid that man"--pointing at Wilfer--"to look after her, and
a nice way he's done it, turning her out to starve, while he got drunk
on my money. You get off," she turned on the astounded Johann, "and
don't you let me hear any of your complaints, or I'll have something to
tell the police."

At the sound of the hated word "police," Wilfer turned, and mumbling
some incoherent words, slunk away. His game was up, and seeing him
vanquished, Miss Lester now took the centre of the stage, as it were,
and turned her attention on the scowling Jasper.

"You waste your breath with that skunk," she exclaimed, pointing a
bejewelled finger at him. "He's too tough a fox for you gentlemen. I'm
one of his own sort, and I'll show you what he's made of. Jasper, my
fine friend, you sold me as well as Mr. Leroy there, and I'm going to
cut up a bit rougher than what he has." She turned to Adrien, who had
been standing bewildered by this fresh interruption. "You want to know
what his little game is? Well, I'll tell you. He wanted your money
first