"That is," suggested Greene, "if it is not all a fake, which is probably the truth about it."
"Has anybody seen Brett here?" inquired Goss.
At this point the conversation was interrupted by the entry of Mr. Brown, who was also a member of the club.
"Is Brett here?" he asked, looking about.
"Just what I was asking," answered Goss. "I suppose you have seen this?"
"About Darche? Yes. I am afraid it is true."
"What! You do not believe it?" Greene was the most sceptical of the party.
"Have you seen him?" asked Bewlay.
"No," answered Mr. Brown. "I have not seen him, but I mean to before long. This is much too serious to be flying about in the papers like this. Imagine what would happen if it fell into Mrs. Darche's hands. Why it is enough to kill any ordinary woman on the spot! To think that that infernal blackguard may not be dead after all."
"You seem to feel rather strongly on the subject," observed Greene. "Are you engaged to marry Mrs. Darche too?"