At this moment a commotion was heard at the lower end of the terrace. Some of the servants were trying to prevent the approach of a man, who was striving to get nearer to the little group. But he was too strong for them; with a bound he had freed himself from their restraining arms, and sprang forward, as if about to strike at Adrien. But Shelton thrust himself forward and bore him back.
"Who is this? Are we to have all the scum of the earth in here? Do you know this man, Leroy?" he asked hotly.
"Yes, I do," answered his friend in the low, restraining tones so habitual to him.
"Yes, I should just think you do!" exclaimed the man, struggling to push past Mortimer's outstretched arm. It isn't likely as you'll forget Johann Wilfer, Adrien Leroy, nor me you either."
"This is too much!" cried Shelton, now thoroughly enraged at this fresh interruption, and again he made as if to thrust the man away.
"Stop," said Adrien, glancing almost sadly at Constance, who smiled lovingly back. "Let him speak, since he is here. Come, sir, why have you forced your way in like this? What do you want of me?"
"What I asked a month ago," replied Wilfer. "I want my niece, Jessica. I want her, an' I'm agoin' to have her, so you'd better own up where she is."
Adrien turned to the others, who were standing silent in their astonishment.
"This man," said Leroy, "has a fancied grievance against me; I know nothing of where this girl is, or what has become of her."
"That's false!" retorted Wilfer. "He does know where the girl is; he took her from her home, and she hasn't been seen since."