"Quite right, sir," was the response. "The gentleman is waiting for you." "You mean----" said Frank, inquiringly. "Lord Leycester Wyndward," he replied. Frank turned to Stella. "It is all right," he said, in a low voice. Stella got out and looked round. The air of quietude and gloomy depression seemed to strike her, but she put her hand on Frank's arm, and then followed the man into the doorway. "Come as gently as you can, sir," he muttered. "It's better the young lady shouldn't be seen." Frank nodded, and they passed up the stairs. Frank threw a glance at the numerous doors. "They are lawyers' chambers," he said, in a low voice. "I think I understand; it is something--some deed or other--Leycester wants you to sign." Stella did not speak. The chill which had fallen on her as she alighted seemed to grow keener. Suddenly the man stopped before a door, the name on which had been covered over with a sheet of paper. Could they have seen through it, and read the name of Jasper Adelstone, there would have been time to draw back, but unsuspectingly they followed the man in, the door closed, and unseen by them, was locked. "This way, sir," said Scrivell, and he opened the inner door and ushered them in. "If you'll take a seat for a moment, sir," he said, putting two chairs forward, and addressing Frank, "I will tell him you have arrived," and he went out. Stella sat down, but Frank went to the window and looked out, then he came back to her restlessly and excitedly. "I wonder where he is--why he does not come?" he said, impatiently. Stella looked up; her lips were trembling. "There, don't look like that!" he exclaimed, with a smile. "It is all right!" As he spoke he drew near the table aimlessly, and as aimlessly glanced at the piles of papers with which it was strewn. "I am making you nervous with my excitement----" he stopped suddenly, and snatched up one of the papers. It was a folded brief, and bore upon its surface the name of Jasper Adelstone, written in large letters. He stared at it for a moment as if it had bitten him, then, with an inarticulate cry, he flung it down and sprang toward her. "Stella, we have been trapped! Come! quick!" Stella sprang to her feet, and instinctively moved to the door: but before she had taken a couple of steps the door opened, and Jasper Adelstone stood before them. CHAPTER XXVIII. Jasper Adelstone closed the door behind him, and stood looking at them. His face was very pale, his lips were tightly compressed, and there was that peculiar look of decision and resolution which Stella had often remarked. True it struck her as ominous--a chill, cold and awesome, ran through her--but she stood and confronted him with a face that, though as pale as his own, showed no sign of fear; her eyes met his own with a haughty, questioning gaze. "Mr. Adelstone," she said, in low, clear, indignant tones, "what does this mean?"