"Tell me first where you were going in such hot haste at this hour in the morning and why?" demanded the stranger. "I claim that you are a thief."
"Then have me arrested," exclaimed Leonie, "but do not detain me here!"
"You seem too willing. I must understand the cause of all this before I do anything. Now act like a sensible boy and tell me where you were going and why?"
Leonie only continued to struggle.
Holding her with one hand in a grasp like iron the stranger took a match-safe from his pocket, and holding it between his teeth while he selected one, he struck it and lighted the gas in the hall.
Miss Chandler uttered a low cry and fell back. She had recognized Luis Kingsley.
His eyes met hers in a look of affected surprise.
"You, Miss Chandler!" he exclaimed. "This is indeed an unexpected encounter. Was this little vagrant trying to rob you?"
Miss Chandler was utterly at a loss what reply to make. She had almost as soon have had that will in the possession of Leonie Cuyler as of Luis Kingsley, and a chill of horror seemed to seal her lips.