"Or both," said Oakes.
"At all events," said Hallen, "I wish that we could divert the minds of the people in town; the tension is great—too great for safety."
"Perhaps, Chief," said Oakes, "that you and I can arrange a little matter that will distract their attention and which will tend to make them believe that progress is being made."
He laughed as he spoke, and we knew that he was thinking over some little scheme to help Hallen back into popular favor.
Clues
The carpenters and masons came and went in a very business-like way all that morning, while we were closeted upstairs with our companion and Chief Hallen.
After he left us, Moore and I walked down to the gate and around the grounds, leaving Oakes to attend to details with Martin. Carpenters were very busy around the dining-room, carrying in boards and implements, and examining the woodwork and the balcony.