“Calmness in the face of danger usually comes from a lack of imagination,” said Ashton-Kirk.
“But,” protested Scanlon, “you wouldn’t say she had any shortcoming like that, would you? I think the way she switched the matter of the northwest wind on to the shoulders of the girl is a good proof that she’s all there in that respect. And the way she grabbed, that same night, the fact that the sword was missing, and pieced the fact on to my suspicions of Miss Knowles, and the same weapon was rather cute.”
Here Campe came out of the billiard room and joined them.
“What now?” he asked.
“I think,” said Ashton-Kirk, “the last act of this drama of yours is about to be played.”
“Good!” said Campe, his eyes burning. “Whatever it develops—good!”
“Are you armed?”
“I always am—now,” answered the young man, sadly. “I haven’t taken a step without a firearm in readiness for months.”
“And you, Scanlon?”
“All right,” replied the big man.