"It is simple. If this were a mere random stripping of the room of its pictures, all would have suffered. Look," indicating a spot in the wall, "here is a place where the plaster is broken. A hook had been driven here to hold one of the portraits; and the breaking of the plaster shows that some determination was required to tear the picture down. Yet—next this—is an engraving of an old mansion which remains untouched. The next four again were portraits of the General, and all have been demolished."
Pendleton nodded.
"That's true," said he. "Whoever did this was after the Revolutionary hero alone. But why?"
Ashton-Kirk smiled.
"We'll look into matters a little further," said he. "Perhaps there are facts to be gathered that will shed some light upon the things that we have already seen."
They repassed through the other rooms; with his hand upon the frame of the door leading to the show room, Ashton-Kirk paused.
"Better brace yourself for rather a shocking sight," said he to his friend.
"Go on," said Pendleton, quietly.