Ike had struck his man at last.
It was a strange scene in that room at that moment, and the great mystery was who did the talking. No one appeared to know and there was great confusion, and it was because of the confusion that no one appeared to recognize, as stated, who was doing the talking.
There came a voice demanding, when Goodlove said she had no gold:
"How do you know? Were you rummaging in her trunk?"
The man became confused; indeed, he looked as though about going into collapse.
The most mysterious part of it all was the fact that no one knew who was doing the talking. The people looked into each other's faces and could not discern, and yet the voice sounded distinct and clear. Some one was talking. Who was it?
During all this time Ike was as mute as an owl after dawn. He looked around with an inquiring and surprised look upon his face, seemingly as greatly mystified as any one, and the voice pitilessly continued:
"Better be careful, Mister Man. The detectives have their eyes on you."
Goodlove turned to the landlady and almost yelled:
"Madam, send for an officer. This is going too far."