Astonishment filled him; he was trembling
with excitement.
"By Heaven," he gasped, "you have it, Kirk. Now I understand the
smashing of the portraits of General Wayne. There was something of
value hidden behind one of them--between the picture and the back! But
what?"
"It was nothing of any great bulk; the hiding place indicated points
that out, surely," said Ashton-Kirk, composedly. "A document of some
sort, perhaps."
Pendleton stood for a moment, lost in the wonder of the revelation;
then his mind began to work once more.
"But I can't understand the writing of the thing upon the step," said
he.
"It was the fact that it was written that proved to me that there were
at least two men concerned. One knew the hiding place of the coveted
object; and this is how he conveyed the information to his companion,"
pointing to the step.
"But," protested Pendleton, "why did he not put it into words? Surely
it would have been much easier?"
"Not for this particular person. As it happens, he was a mute."
Again Pendleton's eyes opened widely; then recollection came to him
and he said:
"It was Locke--the man concerning whom you were making inquiries of
the railroad conductor!"
Ashton-Kirk nodded, and replied.
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