is he now?" she asked at length.

"I do not know," said Mrs. Dunbar, "where he is--just now."

"Has he ever been here?" asked Edith, after another pause.

"Ever been here!" repeated Mrs. Dunbar, looking again at Edith with
something like surprise. "Why, he lives here--now. I thought you knew
that."

"Lives here!" exclaimed Edith.

"Yes."

Edith was silent. This was very unpleasant intelligence. Evidently this
Leon Dudleigh and Wiggins were partners in this horrible matter.

"How does he happen to live here?" she asked at length, anxious to
discover, if possible, his purpose.

Mrs. Dunbar again hesitated. Edith had to repeat her question, and even
then her answer was given with evident reluctance.

"He says that you--I mean that he--is your--that is, that he is--is
master," said Mrs. Dunbar, in a hesitating and confused way.

"Master!" repeated Edith.

"He says that he is your--your--" Mrs. Dunbar hesitated and looked
anxiously at Edith.