Stephen shut the door carefully and stood in a listening attitude. He knew it was of no use to ask his visitor to sit down.
“You have come to inquire about your daughter?”
“No, I have not,” said Gideon Rolfe, calmly. “I know that she is well—I see her daily. I came to remind you of our contract—I came to remind you of your promise that no harm should come near her.”
Stephen smiled and shook his head.
“And I trust no harm has come near her, my dear Mr. Rolfe.”
“But I say that it has,” said Gideon Rolfe, coldly. “I have watched her daily and I know.”
“To what harm do you allude?” asked Stephen, bravely.
“Do you deny that the young man Jack Newcombe is near her?”
“Oh,” said Stephen, and he drew a long breath.
Then he commenced untying the scarf, his acute brain hard at work.