"A message from Mona," he cried. "Quick!"
Then he read the letters as they appeared:
"Discovered. Skinner has extra out. Pronounces me false; says Hallen has tricked the town. Beware of Skinner. Tell Hallen to look out. Am off for New York."
Then came a long wave over the head, and the horseman dashed back toward Lorona.
We detected another horseman at a little distance, who joined him; they rapidly disappeared together.
"Excellent!" exclaimed Oakes. "He has done his duty well."
We saw the man on this side run post haste for the Mansion. As he rushed up the steps, Oakes met him. "All right, boy! I saw the signals myself." Then to us he said: "Quintus Oakes the false is discovered. That was he; he came to warn us."
"Then Skinner has caught on, confound him," said Dowd, and we all silently assented.
Oakes paced the room slowly. "Boys, we have been unexpectedly checked. The enemy has a strong hand: there is trouble ahead."
"Yes, there is that," retorted the vigorous Hallen. "I must get away to headquarters, gentlemen!"