To my look of surprise he answered: "Oh, that's all right; I had a visit from your friend before he went to the Mansion." Again I recognized the work of careful Oakes, and understood why he did not hesitate to send the cipher--a thing unusual in a small town. The indications of impending trouble in town were quite impressed upon me. The little hotel was the centre of a lounging crowd, large, and composed of representative men as well as the usual hangers-on. There were evidences of much interest around the police building also--much more than would occur under normal circumstances in a town of this size, and even more than was present the night before. I noticed a couple of brawls, and considerable raising of voices; many men were walking about as though watching the others. The prairie fire had been lighted; the sparks were burning near the roots of the grass; the air was uneasy--ready to rush in as wind, to fan and feed the first flame. I visited the Chief, who was with his subordinates. He invited me into the private room, and then said: "Mr. Stone, I am doing all I can to detect this murderer and to satisfy the public demand for his apprehension, but the clues are practically worthless. The populace is uneasy and suspicious." Then he detailed to me all that he knew. I then told him how the people's actions had impressed me. "I am going to have all I can do to keep order. I am going to ask your friend Oakes to take a hand." "He will do it," I said, "for he is greatly interested." "It is for the welfare of the town which I serve that I ask him to join me in this matter. Go to him, and tell him I shall see him in the morning if possible." I was glad that affairs were taking such a turn, for I knew the facts in our possession, and that Oakes's counsel would be valuable. I then requested an escort of two men to accompany me on my return to the Mansion, as Oakes had suggested. "Certainly! I had no intention of letting you go back alone," he said; and then he summoned two of his men clad in citizen's clothes and introduced them to me. "Now take a walk to the outskirts, and return the same way by which you came. My men will follow you at a short distance." Before I left I noticed my companions--fine-looking fellows both of them--and saw the tell-tale pouching of the hip pockets, and knew that we were all well armed. "In order not to attract attention, we will walk some distance behind you. We will keep you within sight and hearing. If we fire a shot, return to us." I started across the rolling country, and saw the two figures behind me. Why were they so careful? Why did they not accompany me? They separated, and we advanced, I myself following the narrow path. The night was still. I halted occasionally and looked back--a dim figure would halt on my left and on my right. It was lonesome, but I felt I had company.