Special Detective (Ashton-Kirk)

The sergeant-major grunted something in German, apparently in approval of this advice. At any rate, Campe subsided. There was a space of silence. Then a footstep sounded; and Ba...

“Now,” went on Ashton-Kirk, “I expect to be engaged for an hour or more. Keep watch at the gate, if any one approaches--any one, mind you--report to me before you admit him.”

On the following morning, Ashton-Kirk and Scanlon breakfasted at the inn; then they each smoked another of the black cigars. At about nine o’clock they paid their bill and left.

The remainder of the night passed without incident; and next morning, Scanlon accompanied by Kretz, who carried the light, made a complete tour of the regions beneath the castle...

There hung the long strip of tapestry between the two windows, but the huge naked blade which usually rested against it was missing. For a moment or two Scanlon could not take h...

The day passed slowly for Scanlon; he put in a few hours with the newspapers, which were always brought to Schwartzberg about noon; then he selected an armful of likely looking...

“That maiden-lady’s pretty able,” spoke Scanlon to Ashton-Kirk, a few moments later in the hall; “and in other things besides billiards. She must be on that something’s happenin...

“When I first grabbed at this fact,” said the big man at length, “I gave it a good looking-over. But I kept still, mind you; I said no more than the folks at the castle--and the...

“Campe is taking plenty of time, as per request,” observed Mr. Scanlon, as they settled down to wait. “Unless,” and he looked at the other, “you think something has happened to...

“A friend of mine,” replied Bat. “He’s stopping over at the inn. Only had the pleasure of meeting him this morning, but I will say for him that he has one of the most picturesqu...

“About this? No. I’ll mention it to no one. And,” pausing in his movement toward the door, “if you hear or see anything else which may be useful to Mr. Campe, don’t make me wait...

“Campe!” cried Bat Scanlon, his eyes upon the fleeing man, and his hand going, with the instinctive movement of an old gun man, to his hip. “And giving his little performance ou...

The next day at Schwartzberg was uneventful. Scanlon saw very little of Campe, and nothing at all of either of the ladies. Kretz was silent and in no way interesting.

“Now,” observed he, “am I indeed over my head. Not only have we one man in this little matter who is so far through that he must be shoved along in a chair, but here comes anoth...

“It is such a task for me to dress,” she told him. “That’s why I so seldom come down of an evening. But the coming of your friend yesterday, and what Frederic has been telling m...

“Just a moment,” said he; “there are a few little indications which I want to make sure of, then I’ll talk to you.” Swiftly he worked with the glass and a small ivory rule; then...

Ashton-Kirk, student of crime, sat cross-legged upon a rug; thoughtfully he drew at the big pipe; the wreaths of smoke drifted over the tottering towers of books with which he w...

Upon the west bank he held to the regular road toward Schwartzberg; and he had gone perhaps half the distance when he heard hoof beats behind him; turning, he recognized Grace K...

“I like to see a man fussy about his appearance,” said he to himself. “It’s a sign that he’s in health. Breakfast is also a good sign. The fellow that can cheerfully face his mo...

For answer the crime specialist unwound the string, drew another from the many in Scanlon’s hands, and wrapped it around the blade in turn. Once more he held up the weapon and n...

After dinner, Ashton-Kirk smoked a cigar with his friend; then he retired to dress for the journey to Marlowe Furnace. When he reappeared he wore a rough, well-fitting grey suit...

As Bat went cautiously onward, the place where he had seen the movement marked in his mind, he was aware of a glimmering of light over his shoulder. Turning his head he saw the...

Through the fragments of the window sash and the shreds of the blind, Bat Scanlon looked out upon the moonlit night. Directly under the window was a roof, as near as he could ju...