“‘And they are both mysteries,’ he supplemented.
“‘Harmless fakirs, though?’ I hazarded.
“‘If they were,’ he replied briskly, ‘or rather if I were sure they were, I wouldn’t take up your time about the matter. I am convinced, Inspector, that they are both very dangerous characters.’
“His tone of conviction impressed me. ‘And you feel certain it is one man playing two rôles?’ I insisted.
“‘Oh, I’m not saying that,’ he replied. ‘But the fact that you have noted the same facial peculiarity in those two characters gives me an idea which is further strengthened by the circumstance that no one has seen the two of them about any part of the camps at the same time.’
“I thereupon suggested that if he, as superintendent of the camps, requested it we could arrest the party on a charge of vagrancy while he was playing either rôle and thus get at the bottom of the thing. But, on the other hand, I added, I would much favour keeping a close watch on the actions of both Ogima Bush and Rev. Nathan Stubbs until such time as there appeared to be more definite grounds for making an arrest.
“‘That would be much the better plan, Inspector,’ he approved. ‘As I am going away from camp for a few days I thought I would at least draw your attention to the circumstances, and, in case there might be some mischief afoot behind this apparent masquerading, you could be on the lookout for it.’
“I thanked him and the subject was not again mentioned during our conversation. That very morning, and it must have been a short time after our talk, Miss Stone was forcibly carried off by a band of Indians headed by the Medicine Man.”
Hammond sat bolt upright at this information, but he suppressed comment while the inspector proceeded.