"He will be surprised when we show him Dr. Mackey as a prisoner," returned Marion.
She went to let her cousin in, and St. John began at once to speak of Colonel Stanton.
"He is a spy," said the spendthrift. "You should be ashamed to harbor him in your house. These men will place him under arrest."
"I don't think they will," put in Jack, as he came forward. "So you are here to do Dr. Mackey's dirty work, are you," he added.
"Eh? What—er—do you mean?" stammered St. John.
"You are found out, St. John," said Mrs. Ruthven, coming on the scene. "And let me tell you that hereafter it will be best for you to remain away from this place. You schemed to steal some of my things, but you shall not do it."
"Why, Aunt Alice——" he began.
"It is true. Do you know that Dr. Mackey is a prisoner?"
At these words St. John fell back and grew very pale.
"A prisoner, did you say?" he faltered.