Evening star., 1921-05-08


making a devil Of row
outside"
This is the offender, Mr.. Harley.
said Brace. and handed my friend a
visiting card
GlancinC at the card. Harley read
aloud; Mai. ]. +. +. Ragstan, cav
airy club. London"
Meanwhile loud. harsh voice,
which would have been audible in
full gale. was roaring in the lobby.
Nonsense" | could hear the major
shouting. "Balderdash, There's more
fuss than if | had asked for an in
terview with the prime minister
Braces smile developed into a
laugh, in which Harley joined. 'Ad-
nit the major" he said.
Into the study. where Harley and
i had been seated quietly smoking,
there presently strobe very choleric
gentleman. He wore a horsy check
suit and white spats. and his tie
closely resembled stock. In his
hand he carried a heavy malacca
eanc, gloves and one of those tall;
Hght-gray hats commonly termed
white. He was below medium height
slim and wiry; his gait and the shape
of his legs. his build. all proclaimed d
the dragoOn. His complexion was
purple. and the large white teeth
d
tache added to the natural ferocity
of his appearance. Standing just
within the doorway, "Mr. Paul Har-
ley?" he shouted. II was apparently
an inquiry, but it sounded like a
reprimand.
My friend. standing before the
fireplace, his hands in his pockets
and his pipe in his mouth. nodded
brusquely. II am Paul Harley" he
said Won't YOU sit down.
Brace as the latter left the study
tossed his stick and gloves on a
settee and. drawing up a chair. seat
ed himself stiffiy upon it as though
e he were in saddle. He stared
straight at Harley. You are not
he declared May I ask if it is your
custom to keep clients dancin' out
side on the mat and all that-on
the blasted mat, sir?"
IJARLEY suppressed a smile. and
IL hastily reached for my cigar
cite case. which l had placed upon
the mantelshelf.
Il am always naturally pleased to
sec clients Mai. Ragstaff,' said Har-
lev. hut a certain amount of routine
is necessary even in civilian lie.
You had not advised me of your visit
and it is contrary TO my custom To
discuss business after o'clock.
AS Harley spoke the major glared
at him continuously. I've seen you
in India he roared; "damme' I've
seen you in India-and, yes. in Tur-
key. Ha. I've got you now. sir
He sprang to his feet: You're the
Harley who was in Constantinopie
In 1912"
quite true"
Then I've come to the wrong
shop" =,
THAT remains to be seen. major"
But I was told you were a private
detective. and all that
$50 ! am said Harley quietly. in
1912 the foreign office was my clent:
j am now at the service OF any one
who cares to employ me-.
The major seemed to be temporar,ly
stricken speechless by the discovery
that a man who had acted for the
British government should be eapaoie
of STOPPING to the work OF pri'ate
inquiry agent. Staring all ABOUT the
room with sort of naive wondes-
ment. he drew out a big silk HAND.
kerchief and loudly blew his nose. all
the time eying Harley questionineiy.
Replacing his handkerchief, ne di-
rected his regard upon me.
This is my friend. Mr.. Knox. salo
Harley; you may state your case
before him without hesitation uh-
rose to depart.
"Sit down, Mr.. Knox: Sit down.
sir" shouted the major. nave NJ
skeletons in the cupboard l simply
want something explained Whlch !
am too thick -headed-too damned
thi.L headed. sir-to explain my
self
n. resumed his seat and. taking
o,t his wallet. extracted from II a
small newspaper cutting. which ne
offered TO Harley s;,
Read that. Mr.. Harley ne o're
ed Read il aloud. -
Harley obcyed and read as toI-
before Mr.. Smith at Marlboroush
street police court John Eo~atn
Rampton was charged with assauIt,
ing well known clubHan in Bona
.,rset on Wednesday evening. IT was
nroyed BIZ the constable VINO mace
The arresttthat robbery had not oeeh
the motive OF the assault ana oaup
ton confessed that he bore no gruus
against the assailed man; indeeo. 'nS.
he had never seen him be1ore. nc
rf.sJed intoxication. and the police
r,,reon testified that, although no!
actually intoxicated. his breath mac
srnelled strongly of liquor at the tiIils
of his arrest. Bamptons empioyeIs
testified TO hitherto plar M,
ac,er and as the charge was no
.ass,d tho man was dismissed will
a caution. ,1
Having read the paragraph. Har
lev glanced at the major win Pu|
zIed expression. ;,o .sc,,s
THE point of this quite escape
me" he confessed.
..rs ,bat so?'' said Mai. RaGstan n
.1s tbar so. siro Perhaps YOU VII
he good enough to read this.
From, his wallet he took secon'
,cusnaper cutting. smaller IMAM th
frs.. and gummed TO sheet OF cru
note paper. Harley took II ana re"'
as follows. ,
.atr Dc Lana. well known mem
h.r ~ tho stock exchange. who me
wi,h A seroius accident recently !
still in precarious condition
r-HE nuzzled look on Hsrley's fac
grew more acute. and the m"1o
watched him with an "Xpressio
which / can only describe as one
fierce enjoyment. You're thinKir
I'm a damned old fool amt you: n
shouted. suddenly.
Scarcely that" said Harley smiiini
sliphtly. but the 81 gnificance OF tines
paragraphs is not apparent ] mus
confess The man hampton woold no
appear TO be an interesting charac'e'
and since no great damage mas pee
done. his drunken frolic hardly come
within my sphere OF Mr.. De Ian
Of the stock exchange ] never heare
unless he happens TO be member o
the firm of De Lana & Day.
Hes not a member OF that nrn
sir" shouted the major. He Was
UP 10 o'clock this eVen'n
What do you mean exactly: in
ouired Harley. and the tone OF hi
voice suggested that he was begin