CHAPTER VSPEAKS OF ASHTON-KIRK’S FIRST VISIT TO SCHWARTZBERG
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.
“This road,” said Bat Scanlon, as they trudged along, “is rather direct; it leads on to an old mill built years ago, and now abandoned, and then down to the river.”
“All things considered,” spoke Ashton-Kirk, twirling his hickory stick, his keen eyes searching the ground, “we’d better get away from the roads and paths this morning, and head for Campe’s place, across country.”
Without any comment, Scanlon followed his lead. Down one slope and up another they went, skirting ravines and gullys, but always keeping the towers of Schwartzberg in sight. The
