What had become of her? What, alas! could have been her fate, if
she had not returned to this man, her guardian?
"What do you mean?" he said now, sternly.
"What I say," retorted Mr. Wilfer. "She ain't returned to me, an' that's
my question to you. Where is she, an' what 'ave you done with her?"
"How should know what has become of her?" answered Leroy, genuinely
startled. "Do you dare to insinuate that I know where she is? I have
neither seen her nor heard of her."
"That's a lie," said the man shortly.
Leroy surveyed him for a moment.
"You are impertinent," he said, in his clear tones. "Stand aside, and
let me pass."
Mr. Wilfer thrust his hands into his pockets, and stood his ground.
"That won't go down with me," he said insolently. "I want to know where
my niece is; and by Heaven, I'll know too!"
Leroy stopped short.
"She was your niece, you say?"
"She was," said the man, "though it's no business of yours; she belonged
to me."
"So I presume, or you would not have ill-treated her," retorted Adrien
dryly. "When did you see her last?"
"Over a month ago--as well you know," returned Wilfer coarsely.
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