Ashton-Kirk arose and took a few turns up and down the long room; then pausing at a stand he opened a case of heavy looking cigars, one of which he offered Warwick.
"Thank you, no,"said the young man.
The secret agent, however, selected one, lighted it and resumed his pacing.
"That is about all I can tell you,"said Warwick. "And now if you can offer any explanation of it all, I beg that you do so. I shall be perfectly frank and say that I am not greatly interested in the matter beyond natural curiosity. But,"and here the strong fingers began to intertwine once more, "Miss Corbin is filled with fear, and it is for her sake that I appeal to you."
Ashton-Kirk shot a quick look at him.
"Your personal regard for Dr. Morse's possible safety is not very great, then?"
"I wish him no harm. But there is no warm feeling between us. If you knew him you would understand the reason for this readily enough."He paused for a moment and then went on. "Perhaps,"he said, "the matter, as I set it before you, seems absurd. But to Miss Corbin it is a continuous menace—a thing which throws its shadow across her uncle's daily path. To her, it is impossible that what has happened and is happening has not a deep significance; the apparent resolution behind it inspires her with awe. It is her firm conviction that if something is not soon done, unspeakable things will happen."
Ashton-Kirk paused by the table; the smoke from the heavy cigar curled pungently upward.
"What address did Mr. Karkowsky's card bear?"he inquired.
"It is in the Polish section. Corinth Avenue and Fourth Street."
"Do you know whether Dr. Morse has called upon him?"
"I do not. But I am inclined to think that he has not done so. However, I have taken it upon myself to pay the man a visit. He lodges upon a third floor, over a harness-maker; and when I entered he received me eagerly and with delight. But when I began to question him he grew enraged and ordered me from the place."
"You have never repeated the visit?"
"No."
The secret agent drew softly upon the cigar; its spicy aroma filled the room.
"Coming in personal contact, so to speak, with this matter,"said he, "it is but natural to suppose that you have formed some opinion as to the cause of it."
The young Englishman nodded.
"Yes,"he said. "I have. It is my opinion that the Russian government is behind it all. They have heard of the proposed book."
But Ashton-Kirk shook his head.
"The Russian government,"smiled he, "is charged with a great number of things; and the foundations of most of them are as light as this. According to your story, Dr. Morse's papers were once examined very minutely. Were the notes for the book among them?"
"Yes."
"That then places Russia outside the probabilities. If that government had been sufficiently interested in Morse to have done the housebreaking, rest assured that the notes, if considered harmful, would have disappeared."
"I have thought of that,"said Warwick. "But,"with a shake of the head, "St. Petersburg being denied me, I am at a loss."
"There are two common causes for most things of a criminal nature,"said Ashton-Kirk. "These are robbery and revenge. The fact that nothing is known to have been stolen in either of the nightly visits to the house at Sharsdale seems to eliminate the first of these; and that Morse was twice drugged and once waylaid and still not seriously injured, does away with the other."
"It would seem to."
There was another pause. The secret agent regarded Warwick intently.
"Think carefully before answering the question I am now about to ask. What is there in the doctor's possession that you have seen, or have even heard hinted at—that is in any way remarkable or unique?"
Warwick pondered, but finally shook his head.
"Take your time—think deliberately. What does he own that would excite the cupidity of persons of much power and great wealth?"
"I know of nothing,"replied the young man.
"It would scarcely be a thing to be measured by a money value,"encouraged the secret agent. "It might be, and the fact that the doctor's papers were once searched seems to indicate it rather strongly—a document."
Again Warwick shook his head.
"As I have said, Morse is not of a confiding nature. He keeps his affairs to himself."
Ashton-Kirk laid his half-burned cigar upon a bronze shell; and as he did so his eyes fell once more upon the drawing of the crowned woman. A sudden tightening about his mouth showed a fresh interest; taking up the drawing he examined it with eager attention. At length he said:
"Previous to the first visit of Karkowsky at Sharsdale—Morse had never experienced any of the things of which you told me?"
"No."
"You are sure of this?"
"Positive. Old Nanon would have been sure to have heard of them. She has been with him since he was a child."
"You have mentioned that Dr. Morse is possessed of means. Did he inherit this, or did he accumulate it himself?"
"He inherited it from his father."
"Have you ever heard anything uncommon of the father? Any of the sort of things which you have just mentioned?"
"No. According to Nanon he was an extraordinarily gentle and simple-minded man."
"Has Dr. Morse ever traveled in the East?"
"In Egypt and the Holy Lands when a young man, seeking material for his anti-religious lectures. Then, of course, there was the war in Manchuria."
"Have you ever heard him express any opinion as to Orientals?"
"Only that they were intelligent and in many ways capable. The Japanese he only came within musket shot of, but,"with a smile, "he thinks them very competent fighters."
Ashton-Kirk joined in the smile.
"A remarkable race,"he said, "and one of whom the last word has not yet been spoken."
Here Warwick arose and Ashton-Kirk pressed the bell for Stumph.
"This,"said the secret agent, "promises to be a very interesting matter; and, it so happens, one that falls in with my inclinations at this time."
"You will undertake it then?"eagerly.
"With pleasure."
Stumph held open the door that the caller might depart.
"In behalf of Miss Corbin,"said Warwick, earnestly, "I thank you."He hesitated a moment, and then said: "Before making a definite start in the matter, I suppose it will be necessary for you to visit us at Eastbury. I confess that rather puzzles me. You see, I would not have Dr. Morse——"
"Rest easy as to that,"Ashton-Kirk assured him; "we need tell him nothing."
"When will you come?"
"To-night."
Philip Warwick smiled.
"You are prompt,"said he. "But Miss Corbin will be delighted."
And with that he took his departure.
CHAPTER II
ASHTON-KIRK GOES TO EASTBURY
Ashton-Kirk turned to Fuller.
"Read what you have taken down,"he directed.
Fuller