The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-17


draped before the window. now
opened the curtains ana stepped into
the lighted room. lie was tall lean
man having straight. jotblaok hair
a sallow complexion, and tho features
OF a Sioux,
There came tap az the door.
'Inr' said the tall man.
The door opened silently and
manseryant appeared, lie was spot
lcssly neat and wore his light hair
cropped close 20 the skull. Crossing
TO tho window. he extended a small
salver upon which lay visiting
card.
"iur' repeated tho tall man. look
Ing down at the card.
His servant silently retired. and
following a short interval. raped
again upon tho door. opened Il. and,
standing just inside tho room. an,
nounced; "Mr. Paul Harley"
The door being quietly closed be
hind him Paul Harley stood staring
across tho room Rt Nieoi Brlnn.
Harley. after that one comprohen.
slyo glance. the Photographic stare
OF trained observer. stepped for.
ward impulsivoly. hand outstretohed
"Mr. Brlnn." no said. EVE have never
met before. and 4, was good Of you
to wait IN for me, ! hopo my tcle'
phone message has not .ntcrtered
with your plans for the evening""
Nicol Brinn. without change OF
pose, no limo OF the impassiye face
altering. shot out a large. muscular
hand. seized that OF Paul Harley in
a tremendous grip, and almost In.
stantly put his hand behind his back
again. Had no plans" no replied. In
high. monotonous voice. Il was
bored stiff. Take tho armchair
Paul Harley sat down. but In the
restless manner OF one who has urg.
ent business In hand and who u i'm.
patient OF delay. NJ, Brinn stopped
TO coffee table which stood upon
tho rug before the largo open fire.
place. II am going 10 offer you a
cocktail" he said.
Il shall accept your Offer" re.
turned Harley. smiling. '-rhe n, n.
cocktail has reputation which *,
tends turnout tho clubs OF the world
Nlcol Brinn. product OF the
United States. exhibiting tho swift
adroltness OF that human dodo. tho
New York bartender. mixed tho
drinks. Paul Harley watched him,
meanwhile drumming his fingers
rcsiicssiy upon the chair arm.
Here's success" no said. TO my
mission"
II was an odd toast. hui SIR. Brinn
merely nodded and drank IN silence
Paul Harley set his glass down and
glanced about tho singular apart.
ment. OF which he had often heard
and which no man could ever tire Of
examining.
In this room tho poles met, and
tho most remote civilizations OF tho
world rubbed shoulders with modern.
lily.
Il take H." said Mr., Brinn. sud
denly. that you are up against a
stiff proposition
Paul Harley. accepting n cigarCt
from an ebony box tonce tho prop
erty OF Henry Wild which the
speaker had pushed across tho coffee
table 10 his direction. stared up curl.
ousiy into tho sSliow. aquiilne face.
You arc right But how did you
known
You look that way. Also you
wero followed. Somebody knows
you've como here"
Harley leaned forward. resting ono
hand upon the table. II know l was
followed no said. sterniy. Il wal
followed because haze entered
Upon the biggest case Of my career"
He paused and smiled in very
grim fashion. "a suspicion begins TO
dawn upon my mind that II fail II
win also be my last case. You under
stand met"
II understand absolutely" replied
Nlcol Brlnn. These are duh days
It's meat and drink 10 mo TO smell
big danger"
Paul Harley lighted n clgaret and
watched the speaker closely this
while.
II have como 10 you tonight. Mr,
Brinn," he said finally. ito ask you
a certain question. Unless the the.
DRY upon which am working Is en-.
tircly wrong. then. supposing that
you are In a position 10 answer my
question am logically compelled 70
suppose. also, that you stand in peril
Of your life"
Good" said Mr.. Brinn. Il was
getting sluggish" In three long
strides no crossed tho room and
locked the door.
CONTINUED In Our Next ISSUE