“Then is one man’s opinion to be taken?  Do you advise that?”

“No; but I do not yet understand why you should be interested against your friends.  I should think that, rather than disagree with them, you would wish to have nothing to do with it.”

Everett would have to use Ann again to convince the governor of his right to act.  It had been far easier to explain his interest in Cronk to Mrs. Vandecar than to this quiet, powerful man opposite.  The brown-flecked gray eyes looked unusually sober and truth-demanding.

“I won’t have them any longer with Ann than I can help,” Everett broke forth suddenly.  “She is killing herself over them.  Have you ever seen them, Mr. Vandecar?”

“No.”

“If you had, then you would agree with me.  The fact is, your wife thinks the way I do, but would not help me because you were pledged to Horace.  Your influence over him is great, and I should like to keep this out of court, if possible.  Mrs. Vandecar was rather exercised over Ann.”

With a deliberation that baffled Everett, the governor put down his cigar and drew a letter from his pocket.  He opened it in silence and glanced at it, while Everett stared uneasily at this unusual proceeding.  Presently the governor looked up casually.

“You say that my wife is exercised over Ann?”

“So she told me.  She—–­”

“Well, just at this time,” interjected Vandecar, “Mrs. Vandecar is very much in sympathy with the boy.  She has seen him, since talking with you.”  Everett stood up abruptly.  “She has changed her mind; so her letter tells me, Brimbecomb,” went on the elder man, “and, as I am working with Horace, and this thing touches him so deeply, I shall have to ask you not to come to me for advice or help.  You understand,” and the governor rose also, “that, while I have a deep feeling of interest in you and your work, I must say that I think it would be better taste for you to withdraw while you can.  It will be unpleasant all around, and, as your father is away, it is rather dangerous to connect your office with low people.”

* * * * *

Everett went forth from the interview discomfited, but none the less firm in his evil purpose.  Only a few days later, when Lem Crabbe’s scow was slowly making its way from Ithaca to Tarrytown, habeas corpus papers were served upon Horace Shellington to produce the twins in court and to give reasons why they should not be given to their father.

Horace held a consultation with Ann, and it was decided that they should appeal to the court for time, procuring a doctor’s certificate to prove that Floyd was too ill even to know of the proceedings.  This having been done, it placed an unlooked-for stay upon Everett Brimbecomb; but he secured a court order instructing the sheriff to guard the children at the Shellington home until the boy was well enough to be taken out.  So, a deputy was stationed in the house.