CHAPTER XII
"My dears," said Mrs. Vaughan; she had just left Island Cottage and she was seated outside the pioneer hut beside the camp-fire with the four beside her. "Yes, there has been a thorough disinfection, and Dr. Greig says it is quite safe for me to see you out of doors. Tell me about it. And Jan, how pale you look."
"It was—last night, seeing the old man, he looked so ill, so dreadful when he came through the door." Jan's voice trembled.
"It was only just in time, you see, Mother," Robin spoke; "in five more minutes he wouldn't have had the strength even to call or rap again. He was in dreadful pain, it was his heart."
"Yes, dear, Dr. Greig has told me; he is there still, and I have just seen him." Mrs. Vaughan spoke slowly.
"How he came there we don't know a bit,—how he knew of the secret door; for it must be one, and it must lead somewhere. He—well he asked for Dad, said that he was dying and that he had a confession to make, and," Peter stopped for a minute, "then Robin went off for Dr. Greig."
"That was right." Mrs. Vaughan looked up. "You ask me who he is, and about his confession. It is a long story, some of which you have heard before from Brownie, but you must know it. Does it make things any plainer to you if I tell you that the old man who is dying at the Cottage is called Mitchell?"
"Mitchell!" The boys looked at each other. "We've heard the name—didn't Brownie—?"
"It's the name of the gamekeeper before Hooker," exclaimed Jan suddenly.