The gloomy musings were interrupted by the sound of a carriage driven rapidly up town in a neighboring street.  It stopped at the corner to the east, and a man alighted and came towards the Vosburgh residence.  A moment later Marian whispered, excitedly, “It’s Mr. Merwyn.”

He approached slowly and she thought warily, and began mounting the steps.

“Is it Mr. Merwyn?;” she called.

“Yes.”

“I will admit you at the basement door;” and she hastened down.  She meant to give her hand, to speak in warm eulogy of his action, but his pale face and cold glance as he entered chilled her.  She felt tongue-tied in the presence of the strangers who sat near the table smoking.

Merwyn started slightly on seeing them, and then she explained, hastily, “These gentlemen are assisting my father in a way you understand.”

He bowed to them, then sank into a chair, as if too weary to stand.

“Mr. Merwyn,” she began, eagerly, “let me make you some fresh coffee.  That on the range is warm, but it has stood some little time.”

“Please do not take the slightest trouble,” he said, decidedly.  “That now ready will answer.  Indeed, I would prefer it to waiting.  I regret exceedingly that Mr. Vosburgh is not at home, for I am too exhausted to wait for him.  Can I not help myself?” and he rose and approached the range.

“Not with my permission,” she replied, with a smile, but he did not observe it.  She stole shy glances at him as she prepared the coffee.  Truly, as he sat, drooping in his chair, wet, ragged, and begrimed, he presented anything but the aspect of a hero.  Yet as such he appeared in her eyes beyond all other men whom she had ever seen.

She said, gently:  “Let me put the coffee on the table, and get you some supper.  You must need it sorely.”

“No, I thank you.  I could not eat anything to-night;” and he rose and took the coffee from her hand, and drank it eagerly.  He then said, “I will thank you for a little more.”

With sorrow she noted that he did not meet her eyes or relax his distant manner.

“I wish you could wait until papa returns,” she said, almost entreatingly, as she handed him a second cup.

“I hope Mr. Vosburgh will pardon my seeming lack of courtesy, and that you will also, gentlemen.  It has been a rather long, hard day, and I find that I have nearly reached the limit of my powers.”  With a short, grim laugh, he added:  “I certainly am not fit to remain in the presence of a lady.  I suppose, Miss Vosburgh, I may report what little I have to say in the presence of these gentlemen?  I would write it out if I could, but I cannot to-night.”

“I certainly think you may speak freely before these gentlemen,” was her reply.

“Mr. Vosburgh trusts us implicitly, and I think we are deserving of it,” said one of the agents.

“Why need you go out again when you are so weary?” Marian asked.  “I am expecting papa every moment, and I know he would like you to stay with him.”