CHAPTER XVIISPEAKS OF A HARP WHICH WAS PLAYED IN SILENCE
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 his eyes from the spot; he was fascinated by the possibilities of the discovery.
“Where can it be?” asked Miss Hohenlo. “What could it have been taken for?”
Bat took his eyes from the place where the sword had hung, and they fixed themselves upon the speaker.
“Under the circumstances,” said he, “and in the face of what I’ve just told you, can’t you imagine what it might have been taken for?”
She put her hands before her face as if to shut out the idea.
“Oh, no!” she said, helplessly. “No! Surely not that!”
“Well,” said Scanlon, and he drew a deep breath
