"What can this mean?" she began, and then looked at Jack curiously. "Jack, do you know the truth?"
"What truth, mother?"
"That this man is an impostor."
"I have thought so all along. But what do you know of this?"
"Colonel Stanton is here, Jack. He knows Dr. Mackey only too well."
"So I supposed from what this fellow said."
"To you?"
"No, to St. John."
"My dear Mrs. Ruthven, this is all a dreadful mistake," burst in the surgeon. "I do not know Colonel Stanton at all. I spoke of a Colonel Stanwood—quite a different person, I can assure you."
"I do not believe you, Dr. Mackey," answered Mrs. Ruthven emphatically.