The Washington herald., 1914-10-25
THE ADVENTURES OF STANLEY BROOKE
DELIBERATE DETECTIVE PHILIPS oPPENHEM
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"a countryman or colonial, Brooke
decided, wandered in here. by aeei-
dent. Probably didn't care for It up
stairs because of his clothes and thick
boots"
"He looks like that" she admitted.
They finished their dinner presently.
There seemed to be nothing TO wait
for. The little doctor had lit a pipe
and was reading over his coffee. The
sunburned man was leaning back IN
his chair, apparently thoroughly salts
fed with his dinner. As they passed
out, Brooke obeyed sudden impulse
and spoke to him.
do you mind If l take one of your
matches% he asked
The man pushed them to him without
a word Brooke made some difficulty
about striking one.
Everything down here seems
damp" he remarked. Gives one the
feeling of being half underground,
doesn't it,"
The sunburned man looked up at
Brooke and frowned Then he turned
little away, crossing his legs, and
took up his paper again.
Hadn't noticed il" he. declared,
shortly.
Brooke caught Constance up smiling.
your friend with the red cheeks"
he told her, "has about the worst man
ners of any man ever knew. He
seemed afraid of being spoken to-"
She laughed.
"I noticed that he didn't seem to take
to you," she remarked AT any rate,
he seems very well able to take care OF
himself.
They passed Jean, descending the
stairs with bottle of old brandy in his
hand. Brooke left the place almost re-
luctantly.
"Weli?" Constance asked.
81 suppose that fellows all right,
Brooke said thoughtfully. The little
doctor was just getting up TO go as We
came away. He will be the last one
in the room"
Il never saw any one who looked
better able to take care of himself.
Constance murmured
The night was hot, the streets were
light as day. As though by common
consent. they walked. At the corner OF
Piccadilly Circus, Brooke halted.
What do you say to a ride on the
top of a motor omnibus:" he suggested.
1T would perhaps be pleasant" she
assented.
There's one at the corner there, for
Hampstead" he said Come"
They were crossing the road when
Constance felt a light touch on her
arm. She turned quickly around In
spector Simmons, of Scotland Yard,
was walking by her side.
Stroke of luck, seeing you, Miss
Robinson" he remarked.
Il am glad you think So" she an
swered. You know Mr.. Brooke. don't
you?"
Mr.. Simmons bit his lip.
'Of course l do. Sorry! l only
caught sight Of you that moment Are
you in a hurry, Miss Robinson?"
Il am never in a hurry" she replied,
'ff there is anything to be done"
will you please both step into the
Monico with me, them" he begged
I'VE will have some coffee | want to
show you letter"
Certainly" Constance agreed
Mr.. Simmons escorted her politely
to the door Of the restaurant. Brooke
looked a little regretfully at the top
of the motor omnibus, and followed.
They found a small table against the
wall and Mr.. Simmons ordered coffee.
Then he drew from his pocket letter,
which he did not, however, at once
open.
Il wonder" he said, IF you have
either of you heard of the Eburian
Copper Nine"
"Of course" Brooke replied. The
annual meeting IS tomorrow, isn't 1t ?
They say there's going to be an awful
row."
There probably will be-" Mr.. Sim
mons assented Il know we've orders
to draft a hundred police down to the
Cannon Street Hotel. Let me remind
YOU OF the facts. Miss Robinson may
know them.
There have been six hundred thou |
sand pounds worth OF shares issued |
and paid for on the strength OF certain |
sational article in the Financial Times, |
absolutely discrediting the mine There
was a fearful panic. of course, and the |
company sent out the greatest known !
mining expert-a man named HaSlem |
has not been allowed to send a tele- |
81 All OF IClICIs nc dIllNCN III 4-Oli-
don secretly tonight The meeting is
tomorrow"
Brooke and Constance were both in
terested now. Their coffee stood be-
fore them, neglected |
Tonight" the detective continued,
slowly unfolding the letter. Il was in
my Office when this was brought in-I
this with an inclosure. will read the
letter first. 1t seems to be from Has
lem and it is written from Delacher's
Hotel:
Dear Sir-I received the inclosed !
letter on my arrival in London this
evening. am sending it on to you as
a matter of form, for l think l can
take care of myself You may know
me by name. l have to give evidence
at the Cannon Street Hotel tomorrow
with regard to the Eburian Mine
Faithfully, JOHN HASLEM.'
Brooke and Constance had exchanged
swift giances.
tDelacher's HOTEL" she murmured.
Now for the inclosure," Mr.. Sim
mons continued. Here it is-the usual
sort of thing-plain paper, typewriter,
and all the rest of it. Let me read 1t:
"'Mr. Haslem. Sir-Tomorrow you
are going to give evidence which will
practically ruin half a dozen of the
most unscrupulous company promoters
in London. Read the advice of a
friend. Take care of yourself tonight
London is not altogether the city of