The telegraph manager took the cipher and smiled when he saw it. Then he said to me in a whisper: "Tell Mr. Clark there is trouble coming."
To my look of surprise he answered: "Oh, that's all right; I had a visit from your friend before he went to the Mansion."
Again I recognized the work of careful Oakes, and understood why he did not hesitate to send the cipher—a thing unusual in a small town.
The indications of impending trouble in town were quite impressed upon me. The little hotel was the centre of a lounging crowd, large, and composed of representative men as well as the usual hangers-on. There were evidences of much interest around the police building also—much more than would occur under normal circumstances in a town of this size, and even more than was present the night before.
I noticed a couple of brawls, and considerable raising of voices; many men were walking about as though watching the others. The prairie fire had been lighted; the sparks were burning near the roots of the grass; the air was uneasy—ready to rush in as wind, to fan and feed the first flame.
I visited the Chief, who was with his subordinates. He invited me into the private room, and then said:
"Mr. Stone, I am doing all I can to detect this murderer and to satisfy the public demand for his apprehension, but the clues are practically worthless. The populace is uneasy and suspicious."
Then he detailed to me all that he knew. I then told him how the people's actions had impressed me.
"I am going to have all I can do to keep order. I am going to ask your friend Oakes to take a hand."
"He will do it," I said, "for he is greatly interested."