"To bring him here to-night?" asked Cousin Annie, with increasing anxiety.
"No, to keep him from coming."
"And you have come to warn Marion?" inquired Dolly.
"Yes, in a way," answered Vanbrugh. "But not to tell her, of course. I want her to give strict orders about any odd-looking persons who may present themselves. I mean to tell her that I am afraid some reporter may try to get in, and that the man at the door must be very careful."
"I will go to her," said Mrs. Willoughby, rising. "Mr. Vanbrugh—if he comes, if it is really he, he cannot be turned away from what was his own house."
"No, but he shall be stopped at the door, and I will go out and talk to him and persuade him to escape, or to come and see me in the morning, if he is mad enough to stay."
"Yes, that is sensible," answered Cousin Annie. "Shall I speak to my niece myself, or shall I make her come down?"
Vanbrugh hesitated a moment and looked at Dolly, who answered by an almost imperceptible nod.
"I think," said Vanbrugh, "that to put her to any inconvenience would make the matter look more serious than we wish her to think it is. Do you think you could explain, Mrs. Willoughby? Give her the idea that the newspaper man who was here to-day may come back—or some other person, or two or three. Anything of that sort."
"I will do my best," answered Mrs. Willoughby. "You will wait until I come back, will you not?"