He was extremely puzzled to know by what means Mullet had learnt his secret. Surely he could not have been a friend of that man who, on his deathbed, had refused his name?
“I merely came down here to give you warning,” Mullet said. “You are not the only person interested in the discovery.”
“I know. I have been compelled to take certain persons into my confidence, and they will share in the profits which, we hope, will eventually accrue.”
“I’m not speaking of your friends, Doc. I’m speaking of enemies—people who are working actively against you.”
“Against me!” cried Diamond, starting. “Who else knows about it besides ourselves?”
“Ah!” exclaimed Mullet, smiling. “That’s just the point. While you possess only a few scraps of the dead man’s manuscript, those working in opposition to you have in their possession a complete copy!”
“What!” cried the ugly little Doctor, starting up. “Then the context is known! The whole document has been read!”
“Without a doubt. And I should have been in ignorance of your connection with it had it not been for a pure accident,” answered Mullet.
“Who are my enemies?” demanded the Doctor. “They are powerful—but I’m not at liberty to mention their names. I can only say, Doctor, that if I can help you in secret in this affair I will. There’s money in it—lots of money—that’s my firm opinion.”
“Then you know all about it?”