“I wondered about it at the time. But the coroner called the death accidental. I had tipped off the secret service to stop any proceedings; but they never began.
“Marsh had been hired just before the death of Blades. That left three of us. A number of men applied; a fellow named Barrows got the vacant job. He was killed, too. He was working in a room where we keep chemicals.
“He made a mixture that formed a poison gas. It struck me as funny that he made the mistake he did; and I couldn’t figure why he didn’t get out the door in time.
“Then I had my experience. The old motor boat sank in the middle of the lake. Started to fill as I got away from the point of the island; I didn’t see it until it was too late.
“I had told the professor that I couldn’t swim, but didn’t mind running the boat. I meant that I was a poor swimmer — not that I was totally incapable. I managed to paddle the half mile to shore; the longest swim I ever made in my life.”
“Whew!” exclaimed Harry, as Marquette paused. “Looks like some one is out to get all of us. Who’s the man — Stokes?”
“Yes.”
“What about Marsh. Has he run into trouble?”
“Marsh,” replied Marquette, “is a different case. I think that Stokes has reached him. I believe that the object of these murders is twofold.
“First, to dispose of those who are not plotting against Whitburn; second, to install substitutes who are confederates of Stokes.