"I shall be glad to have your assistance, as I shall also be glad to bring about that which will in time make your daughter a happier woman than she would be if she knew what a dastardly scoundrel her husband is. As for her marriage, it may be annulled at any time, if, as I believe, she was unaware, at the time she became his wife, that he had served a term in prison." There was a slight, a very slight movement behind the door opening into one of the rear apartments. The detective's sharp ears detected it, and he smiled inwardly. "She knew nothing of it, I am sure," said Craven. Dismissing the Mannion matter, Nick talked on general matters for about ten minutes. Then having, as he thought, given Mrs. Mannion a chance to escape, he arose to take his departure. It was close upon six o'clock, but the sun had not set. It would not be dark for over an hour. "By the way," said the detective, as he stood at the door, "I would like to speak with your daughter a moment." "Very well. I will call her." Craven went to the rear, and was gone a few minutes. He returned with the announcement that his daughter was not at home. "She was here when you came, for I left her in the kitchen to answer your knock. Gone to a neighbor's, probably." "It was a small matter," returned Nick. "I can see her at another time." Outside, a block from the house, he was joined by Patsy. "Chick's after her, Mr. Carter," he said. "They've been gone five minutes." "Which way?" "South." South might mean a great many places. As it was likely that Mannion would leave Washington as soon as possible to seek a place of shelter where he might remain until he got the correct lay of the land in Washington--and this he must count upon securing through the intelligence and shrewdness of his wife--the most available section was on the Maryland side, beyond Twining. That would mean the crossing of either the Anacosta or Pennsylvania Avenue bridge, unless a boat could be secured before the first-named point could be reached. From there a quick landing might be made near Poplar Point. Mannion, with his knowledge of the river, would steal a boat, if one were to be found, and Mrs. Mannion would not scruple to do the same, if opportunity presented itself. "I am afraid Chick has a big job on his hands, Patsy," was the detective's comment. At that moment, down on Anacosta's shore, Chick and Nellie Mannion were looking into each other's eyes and smiling. They stood by a small punt, and Chick had just engaged to row Mrs. Mannion across the stream. CHAPTER XVI. STARTLING NEWS FROM BALTIMORE.