Chapter I: Introduction

Ashton-Kirk is a young man of means and position. The unusual has a sort of fascination for him; his subtle perception, and keen, direct habit of mind cause him to delight in the investigation of those crimes which have proved too shadowy for the police.

In “Ashton-Kirk, Investigator,” another book dealing with his experiences, he was concerned with the strange case of the murder of the numismatist, Hume. In “Secret Agent,” he was involved in a crisis between two nations; and a great war was averted by his skill and ready courage.

In this volume, he is called upon by an ancient friend who has been plunged into an appalling series of circumstances of which he can make nothing, except that all concerned are in immediate and deadly peril. And it is here shown how the special detective’s acute mind, deft manipulation and resourcefulness warded off a terrible danger.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. MR. SCANLON RELATES SOME PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES 9

II. SHOWS HOW MATTERS STOOD AT SCHWARTZBERG 17

III. IN WHICH THE SPECIAL DETECTIVE TAKES UP THE HUNT 28

IV. TELLS SOMETHING OF THE MAN IN THE ROLLING CHAIR 35

V. SPEAKS OF ASHTON-KIRK’S FIRST VISIT TO SCHWARTZBERG 45

VI. IN WHICH ASHTON-KIRK INDICATES MUCH BUT SAYS LITTLE 62

VII. SHOWS HOW MR. SCANLON MET THE MAN WITH THE SOFT VOICE 80

VIII. TELLS HOW THE NIGHT BREEZE BLEW FROM THE NORTHWEST 88

IX. IN WHICH SOME THINGS ARE DONE AND SOME OTHERS ARE SAID 97

X. SHOWS HOW MRS. KRETZ SPOKE HER MIND 103

XI. TELLS SOMETHING OF TWO GENTLEMEN WHO WERE ENCOUNTERED
UNEXPECTEDLY 112

XII. SPEAKS OF THE MANNER IN WHICH THE GATES OF SCHWARTZBERG
WERE OPENED 122

XIII. DEALS WITH SOME HAPPENINGS OF THE NEXT DAY 127

XIV. IN WHICH ASHTON-KIRK HEARS MATTERS OF INTEREST 143

XV. TELLS HOW AMAZEMENT FILLED THE MIND OF MR. SCANLON 151

XVI. SHOWS HOW THE GREAT SWORD WAS MISSED FROM THE WALL 162

XVII. SPEAKS OF A HARP WHICH WAS PLAYED IN SILENCE 174

XVIII. DEALS MAINLY WITH SOME NEWS FROM MEXICO 187

XIX. IN WHICH ASHTON-KIRK PAYS HIS SECOND VISIT TO
SCHWARTZBERG 197

XX. TELLS HOW ASHTON-KIRK POINTED OUT CERTAIN MATTERS
OF INTEREST 205

XXI. SHOWS HOW THE GREAT SWORD SPOKE TO SCANLON 222

XXII. IN WHICH A MATTER OF MUCH INGENUITY IS CONSIDERED 234

XXIII. CONCLUSION 241

SPECIAL DETECTIVE

(ASHTON-KIRK)