He paused, and turned his head.
"What would you say if I answered—yes?"
The sharp old eyes wavered; she swallowed once or twice spasmodically.
"You did see some one," she said. Then with intense eagerness: "It was not a man?"
He was about to reply when there came heavy footsteps upon the porch and then a loud peal at the bell. Ashton-Kirk smiled.
"A policeman, no doubt," said he. "Let him in."
The woman opened the street door; the hall lights shone upon the buttons and shield of a patrolman.
"I heard the sound of a whistle," said he, with a rich Irish accent. "Is anything the matter?"
Nanon looked toward Ashton-Kirk as though expecting him to answer; he came forward.