The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-28
CHAPTER XVI
Nicol Tvsnn Goes Out

Detective Sergeant Stokes wac "a
big. dark. florid man. tho word "con.
stable" written all over him.
WesseN's Instructions with regard
90 Nicol Briun had been succinct.
Watch Mr. Brlnn's chambers. mako
a note o. all his visitors. but take no
definite steps respecting him person.
ally without consulting me"
Armed with these Instructions. the
detective sergeant had undertaken
his duties. which had proved more
lcr esa tedious up 20 the time that
a. ashionahly attired woman OF stftk.
I, ( but unusual appearance had In.
qulrcd Of tho ham porter upon which
floor Mr Nlool Brinn resided
In her manner tho detective ser.
geant had perceived something fur.
tive. There was a hunted look Ia
her eyes. too.
When. AZ tho end OF some Is or 20
minutes. she fallcd to rcappcar. he
determined 70 take the initiative him
solf.
As a result. then. he presently
found himself in tho presence OF the
immoyahlo Hoskina. and having caus.
cd his name 10 be announced. no was
requested 10 wait in the lobby for ono
minute, Exactly one minute had
elapsed when he was shown into that
long. lofty room. which OF late had
been the scene OF strange happen,
ings.
lie looked into tho unfathomable.
light blue eyes Of Niool Brinn. and
became conscious Of certain mental
confusion
Good evening. SIR he said. awk
wardly. Il am acting Ia the case
concerning the disappearance OF Mr.
Paul Harley"
Yes" replied Brinn.
well. sir''-again no glanced rap
idly about--"T don't want 10 intrhds
moro than necessary. but a lady
came in here about half an hour
ago
Yes" drawled Brinn. TITS posi-
bic"
It's fact" declared tho dstee
tive sergeant. III II Isn't troubiins
you too much. l should like 20 know
that lady's name. Also. should
like chat with her before shs
leaves"
Nicol Brinn replaced his cigar In
the right corner Of his mouth: dc
tectiyo Sergeant Stokes. give yot
my word that the lady 10 whom yot
refer Is no longer In these chambers
Stokes glared at him RnErily. "Bui
there Is no other way out. no hlus
tered.
Il shall not deal with this matter
further" declared Brnn. eoldly. =
may have vices. but never WAS 4
lar
oh" fnuttered tho detective ser
geant. taken abaek by the cold In
cisiveneSs OF the speaker. '-Ther
perhaps you viii lead tho way. Rs
should like TO take a look around"
: Nlcol Brinn spread his feet NOR
] widely apart upon the hearthrug
!. Detective Sergeant Stokes" he said
: you are not playing tho game. In
! spector wessex passed his word I,
/ me that for "A hours my movement
should not be questioned or inter
fered with. How Is II that find 20,
here7"
4, Stokes thrust his hands In hi
pockets and coughed uneasiiy. -
/. am nSs'a machine" he replied: 'ant
I doHmy own 1tib In my own way"
Maybe. but Il Is no affair OF your
: to interfere with private affairs O
| mine. Detective Sergeant. See here
there Is no lady in these chambers
r Secondly. I have an appointment a
. o'clock. and you are OBTAINING mo
Whats more" answered Stokes
who had now quite lost his temper
Il intend TO go on OBTAINING yot
until l have searched these cham
beers and searched them thoroiy."
Nlcol Brinn glanced at his watch
IF leave in five minutes. I'll be II
good time" he said. Follow me"
Crossing to the center section Of
massive bookcase. he opened II. an,
Il proved to be door Within was
small and coy study. In contras
with the mnseum.llke room out o
which it opened. II wns furnished II
a severely simple fashion.
Palpably there was no one there
Nor did the two bedrooms. tn,
kitchen. and the lobby afford AM
more satisfactory evidence. Nico
Brinn led the way back from the lob
by. He resumed his place upon tn,
hearthrug.
Are you satisfied. Detective Ser
geant?"
4 Il ann Stokes spoke angrily
. while you kept me talking. sh'
/, slipped out thru that study. and dow
. into the street
: Sorry" drawled Brinn. again con
sulting his watch. The five min
, utes are up. I must be off"
Not until / have spoken to Scot
lsnd Yard. sir. >"
Nicol Brinn strobe TO the teic
phone, which stood upon small ia
Bile almost Immediately in front o
the bookcase. The masked door re
manned ajar.
You are quite fixed upon detain
/ ing me7"
quite said Stokes watching hin
closely.
In one long stride Brinn was thru
the doorway, telephone in handl BE
fore Stokes had time to move, tn
door closed violently in order. M
doubt, TO make It shut over the telc
phone cable which lay under ~