"Well really, you do put the case pretty strongly," answered Vanbrugh thoughtfully. "If you look at it in that way, there certainly is a bare shadow of a possibility that Darche may have come back." "Good God, Vanbrugh, don't!" cried Brett. "I cannot quite help it." Vanbrugh drew Brown a little aside and spoke in a lower tone, but Brett, who could scarcely control himself, moved up behind them. "Look here, Brown," said Vanbrugh, "we ought not to talk like this before Brett. After all, it is a mere possibility, one chance in a thousand." "Considering the peculiarities of the name," argued Mr. Brown, "there are more chances than that." "Possibly. But why should he go to the newspaper office instead of hiding altogether, or getting away from New York by the next steamer?" "That is true," assented Mr. Brown. "I say, you fellows," cried Brett, coming between them. "Stop that, won't you? You are both infatuated. Why, you must be mad! Everybody knows he is dead." "It is certainly probable," said Mr. Brown doubtfully, "but it is not sure." "Do not get excited, Brett," said Vanbrugh. "There are a lot of men looking on. Go home and leave it to us. We will find the man and see him before to-night." "I am going with you," said Brett resolutely. "No, you are not," said Vanbrugh, looking at him curiously. "You are no good. You are losing your head already. Go home and keep quiet." "Yes, it would be much better," urged Mr. Brown. "Besides, two of us are quite enough." "You do not really believe it," Brett said suddenly, after a moment's hesitation. "Oh no, I suppose not," answered Vanbrugh with affected indifference. "Cheer up, old man!" said Mr. Brown. "There may not be anything in it after all." "May not!" exclaimed Brett. "I ought not to be here, anyhow," he added, speaking to Vanbrugh. "He may ring at her door at any moment." And without further words he disappeared into the hall. "Brett seems to be pretty badly rattled," remarked Greene. "Yes," answered Goss. "Strange, is it not? Yet you are quite sure that he is to marry Miss Maylands?" "It is not safe to be sure of anything," said Greene, going back to the writing-table and folding his letter. "I believe it is true that he has come back," mused Bewlay, relighting his cigar. "There certainly is a possibility," said Vanbrugh. "Of course there is," assented Mr. Brown. "I almost believe it myself," said Greene, rising and going out with his letter. "It is a queer story, is it not?" observed Goss. "Yes," answered Bewlay. "It has made me quite thirsty." "Well, this is a good stopping-place," replied the other. "Ten minutes for refreshments." CHAPTER XI.