Читать книгу Special Detective (Ashton-Kirk) онлайн

31 страница из 68

“A big, old-fashioned place—built back in the old days.”

“With a wide hearth and a hearty old landlord, whose father and grandfather owned the house before him.”

“Well, that’s how it ought to be, to be in the picture; but it happens that this landlord has been here for only about six months.”

Scanlon heard the hickory stick slashing at a clump of dried brush; then the crime specialist spoke:

“How far away is it?”

“A couple of miles.”

“Maybe it’d be as well if we went there and bespoke a bed, if they’ll take us in,” said Ashton-Kirk.

Scanlon seemed surprised.

“I guess they’ve got room,” said he. “But I had it in my mind you were going to Schwartzberg.”

“I will pay it a visit, if I’m permitted, when I’ve had a chance to see something of its surroundings. Your story, you see, shows plainly that, whatever the nature of Campe’s danger, it comes from the outside.”

Scanlon seemed struck by this; then he nodded and said:

“I guess that’s right. But don’t you think a good chance to pump Campe for some inside information would be better than anything else?”