"Summon my servants to hand a returned convict over to justice," answered Greenwood, coolly.
"Villain! you could not do it!"
"I will do it:" and Greenwood placed his hand upon the bell-rope.
"Oh! no—no—that must not be!" exclaimed Stephens. "Speak—I will do your bidding."
Mr. Greenwood returned to his seat.
"I must possess Eliza Sydney—and you must be the instrument," he said in his usual calm and measured tone. "You are to return to her this evening?"
"I am. But I implore you—"
"Silence! This evening I am engaged—and to-morrow evening also. The day after to-morrow I shall be at liberty. You will invent some excuse which will enable you to postpone your departure; and you will contrive to pass the evening after to-morrow with Eliza Sydney. Can you do this?"
"I can, no doubt: but, again, I beg—"
"No more of this nonsense! You will adopt some means to get her faithful servant Louisa out of the way; and you will open the front-door of the villa to me at midnight on the evening appointed."