Master Litell sprang forward, taking a torch from the guard captain and holding it aloft at the gaping entry.

The commissioner seized her with one hand, and taking a torch in the other, compelled her to look down on the body.

One of the men nodded assent, and the chief bandit, taking a torch, passed it before the face of the captive officer.

Taking a torch from one of them, he bade them retire, and the doors clanged behind them.