"So Stubbs told me," said Vanbrugh, "and I came in to ask you to help me. I am very glad I have seen you first. I know it is late and I will not keep you a moment. There is something that I must say. I have just been at the club for a moment and Brown came in and four or five others. There is certainly an impression that John Darche has really come back again."
"Good heavens!" cried Mrs. Willoughby, thoroughly startled.
"Oh, how awful!" exclaimed Dolly in real distress. "But you were all saying after luncheon that it was impossible."
"I know," said Vanbrugh. "I know we were. But it looks otherwise now. There was so much talk about it that I proposed to Brown to try and find the man. We have been down town since then, to Mulberry Street. There certainly is a man knocking about under the name of John Darche, who landed from an Italian vessel last night."
"Have you seen him?" asked Dolly. "Oh, poor Marion!"
"Dreadful, dreadful!" repeated Mrs. Willoughby, staring at Vanbrugh.
"No," answered the latter in reply to Dolly's question, "we have not seen him, but we shall have him this evening."
"Here?" exclaimed Mrs. Willoughby, looking round nervously.
"Here in this house?"
"Yes—or at least, under our hand," said Vanbrugh. "Brown is waiting for information at the Mulberry Street Station."