Bat took his eyes from the place where the sword had hung, and they fixed themselves upon the speaker.
“Under the circumstances,” said he, “and in the face of what I’ve just told you, can’t you imagine what it might have been taken for?”
She put her hands before her face as if to shut out the idea.
“Oh, no!” she said, helplessly. “No! Surely not that!”
“Well,” said Scanlon, and he drew a deep breath as he said it, “maybe not. But I’ve caught the notion so strongly that I don’t think I’ll take a chance.”
“You mean——” and she looked at him fearfully.
“I’m going to find out whatever is fixed to take place. And, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to do it now.”
Swiftly the big man left the room and lightly he ran down the stairs.
“The gate!” said he to Kretz, who stood in the courtyard. “Open it!”
The man stood looking at him, a curious expression upon his face; for a moment it seemed to Scanlon that he was about to refuse.