"Are you afraid that I shall do you harm?" he said, with a cold smile.
He knew Stella.
The cold sneer stung her.
"I am not afraid of those I despise," she said, hotly. "Go, Frank. You will come when I call you."
"I shall not move," he responded, earnestly. "This man—this Jasper Adelstone—has already shown himself capable of an illegal, a criminal act, for it is illegal and criminal to kidnap anyone, and he has kidnapped us. I shall not leave you. You know," and he turned his eyes reproachfully on Stella, "I am responsible for you."
Stella's face flushed, then went pale.
"I know," she said, in a low voice and she pressed his arm. "But—but—I think it is better that I should listen to him. You see"—and her voice dropped still lower and grew tremulous, so that Jasper Adelstone could not hear it—"you see that we are in his power; we are his prisoners almost; and he will not let us go till I have heard him. It will be more prudent to yield. Think, Frank, who is waiting all this time."
Frank started, and appeared suddenly convinced.
"Very well," he whispered. "Call me the moment you want me. And, mind, if he is impertinent—he can be, you know—call at once."
Then he moved to the door, but paused and looked at Jasper with all the scorn and contempt he could summon up into his boyish face.