"Well, Chief, they're keeping you busy. They tell me you don't like it because I exposed that fellow who palmed himself off as Mr. Quintus Oakes—that man Rogers, you know."
"No, I did not like it particularly—it interfered with my plans; I am trying to catch the murderer of Mr. Mark, you know."
"Suppose you are! you haven't got him yet. You can search me, Chief. I think Mr. Quintus Oakes here is entitled to all the credit so far—eh—don't you?"
The old fellow turned to Oakes as he spoke the words that showed he was not to be fooled into believing Oakes was Clark.
We moved nearer. Skinner knew all, apparently.
Then Oakes arose to meet the occasion, and stood before the old man: "Mr. Skinner, I thank you for warning me not to come to Mona—it was your letter I received. But why did you warn me? Was it to protect your secret?"
Oakes had acted all along as though he had learned some things he had not spoken of to us—he and Hallen had seemed to comprehend more than we others knew; but I was scarce prepared for such a sudden revelation.
"Stop!" cried the old man, "stop! you have no right—I did warn you to keep away from Mona—I knew of the Mansion mysteries—I knew you by sight in New York—I recognized you here on your first visit—I did not want to see a good man get in trouble."
"Thank you," said Oakes, "thank you. Your kindness was appreciated, but you have another motive—you are shielding someone."
"None—no one," came the answer.