CHAPTER VIIN WHICH ASHTON-KIRK INDICATES MUCH BUT SAYS LITTLE
“A LIGHT!” cried Campe. “Strike a light, Kretz.”
“No light,” said Bat Scanlon, softly. “It is no time for such things when an unknown gentleman is about with a gun! And keep still.”
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 Bat arose.
“That you, Kirk?” asked he.
“Yes,” came the quiet voice of the crime specialist. “I think it’s all right now. Is there any way of getting a light?”
A match crackled, then Kretz produced a candle stump from a niche in the wall. This he ignited. Ashton-Kirk came into the dim circle of radiance.
“I’ll not ask whether you saw anybody,” said Scanlon. “But,” anxiousl
