"Now I have got to see the old gentleman," said Darche, speaking to Vanbrugh. "Before I go, I would like to have a word with you. There is no objection to my speaking privately to Mr. Vanbrugh, I suppose?" he inquired, turning to the officer. "Not if you stay in the room," answered the one who took the lead. Darche nodded to Vanbrugh, who somewhat reluctantly followed him to the other end of the room. "I say," he began in a tone not to be overheard by the detectives. "Can you not give me another chance?" "What sort of chance?" replied Vanbrugh, raising his eyebrows. "If I could get through that door," said John looking over Vanbrugh's shoulder, "I could get away. I know the house and they do not. Presently, when my father comes, if you could create some sort of confusion for a moment, I could slip out. They will never catch me. There is an Italian sailing vessel just clearing. I have had exact information. If I can get through that door I can be in the Sixth Avenue Elevated in three minutes and out of New York Harbour in an hour." Vanbrugh had no intention of being a party to the escape. He met Darche's eyes coldly as he answered. "No, I will not do it. I have defended you in open court, but I am not going to help you evade the law." "Do not be too hard, Vanbrugh," said Darche, in a tone of entreaty. "Things are not half so bad as they are made out." "If that is true, I am sorry. But you have had a perfectly fair trial." "Will you not help me get away?" Darche urged knowing that this was his last chance. "No." "Vanbrugh," said John in an insinuating tone, "you used to be fond of my wife. You wanted to marry her." "What has that to do with it?" asked Vanbrugh turning sharply upon him. "You may marry her and welcome, if you let me get through that door. I shall never be heard of again." "You infernal scoundrel!" Vanbrugh was thoroughly disgusted. "Now gentlemen," he said, turning to the officer in charge, "I will bring Mr. Darche here to see his son. I am sure that for the old gentleman's sake, out of mere humanity, you will do the best you can to keep up the illusion we have arranged. He is old and his mind wanders. He will scarcely notice your presence." "Yes, sir," the man answered. "You may trust us to do that, sir. Now then, boys," he said, addressing his two companions, "straighten up, best company manners, stiff upper lip--keep your eye on the young man. He is rather too near that door for my taste." John Darche's face expressed humiliation and something almost approaching to despair. He was about to make another attempt, and had moved a step towards Vanbrugh, when he suddenly started a little and stood still. Marion stood in the open door beyond three detectives. She touched one of them on the shoulder as a sign that she wished to pass. "Pardon me, lady," said the man, drawing back. "Anything that we can do for you?" "I am Mrs. Darche. I wish to speak to my husband."