At this point they were interrupted by the entrance of Stubbs. That dignified functionary had suffered intensely during the last few days, but his tortures were not yet over. So far as lay in his power he still maintained that absolute correctness of appearance which distinguished him from the common, or hirsute "head man"; but he could not control the colour of his face nor the expression of his eyes. He had been a footman in the house of Marion's father, in that very house in fact, and had completely identified himself with the family. Had he considered that he was in the employment of Simon and John Darche, he would have long since given notice and sought a place better suited to his eminent respectability. But having always waited upon Marion since she had been a little girl, he felt bound by all the tenets of inherited butlerdom--and by a sort of devotion not by any means to be laughed at--to stand by his young mistress through all her troubles. By this time his eyes had a permanently unsettled look in them as though he never knew what fearful sight he might next gaze upon, and the ruddy colour was slowly but certainly sinking to the collar line. It had already descended to the lower tips of his ears. "Beg pardon, Miss Maylands," he said in a subdued tone, "beg pardon, sir. Mr. John has come with those gentlemen." Both Dolly and Vanbrugh started slightly and looked up at him. Vanbrugh was the first to speak. "Do you not think you had better go away--to Mrs. Darche?" he asked. "She may want to see you for a minute." Dolly rose and left the room. "I suppose they will come in here," said Vanbrugh, addressing Stubbs. "Yes, sir," answered the butler nervously, "they are coming." "Well--let us make the best of it." A moment later John Darche entered the room, followed closely by three men, evidently dressed for the occasion, according to superior orders, in what, at police head-quarters, was believed to be the height of the fashion, for they all wore light snuff-coloured overcoats, white ties, dark trousers and heavily-varnished shoes, and each had a perfectly new high hat in his hand. They looked about the room with evident curiosity. Darche himself was deathly pale and had grown thinner. Otherwise he was little changed. As soon as he caught sight of Vanbrugh, he came forward, extending his hand. "I have not had a chance to thank you for your able defence," he said calmly. "It is not necessary," answered Vanbrugh coldly, and putting his hands behind him as he leaned against the mantelpiece. "It was a matter of duty." "Very well," said John Darche stiffly, and drawing back a step. "If you do not want to shake hands we will treat it as a matter of business." "He is pretty fresh, ain't he?" remarked one of the officers in an undertone to his neighbour. "You bet he is," answered the other.