ther, the window suddenly became blank. One
after another the windows were lighted up in the same fashion; sometimes
Bat saw the girl, her dressing gown held about her with one hand, while
with the other she held the candlestick. Then both she and the light
disappeared altogether.

"Quite an active little excursion," said Bat. "Quite active and
extraordinary. What is it about, I wonder? Why this sudden parade
through the house on the quiet?"

He remained where he was for a short space of time. But all was silent
save for the maid crooning the hymn, and the occasional inquiring bark
of the dog on the next place, who probably got a strange scent coming
down the wind. As there was nothing more to be hoped for there, he
shifted his position to the other side. And as he came in range of the
sitting-room window he saw the invalid reclining once more in her chair,
supported by pillows, and with the nurse bending over her.

"Well," said Bat, after he had pondered over this scene for some time,
"that seems to be taps for the evening."

He lingered a half hour, however, thinking there might be a possibility
of something more; but as nothing happened, he made his way to the
street, and crossed to the opposite side. Standing in the sheltering
shadows of a building, while he contemplated the Burton house once more,
he was given a start by a voice saying:

"Taking a look at it, eh? Well, it's worth it. I've been here ever since
the place was Stanwick village, and I ain't never seen goings on in any
home like I've seen in that one."

The speaker stood almost at Bat's side; he leaned upon a cane, and from
the shaky quality of his voice, Scanlon felt that he must be of advanced
age.

"That's where the murder was done, isn't it?" asked the big athlete. For
there was a gossipy suggestion in the tone of the old man which made a
show of non-certainty of possible value.

"Yes, sir; that's it. That's where Thomas Burton was found dead of a
crushed skull," replied the old resident. "That's the house of his son
and daughter. I see the father taken away to be buried, and I see the
son taken away to be put in jail. And I see the daughter's doctor coming
to see her every day."

Here the old gentleman broke into a cackle of laughter.

"Every day," he repeated. "In a carriage with a little medicine case."

"An old party who seems to have his wits about him," said Bat to
himself. "And not at all backward about making a show of them."