The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-15
CHAPTER I
A Client for Paul Harley

Some OF Paul Harley'a most inter,
esting cases were brought TO his no,
slec In an slmost accidental way. Al.
tho no closed his office in Chaneory
Lane sharply at tho hour OF 4, that
hour by no means marked the end OF
hts business day.
one summers evening when the
little clock upon his table was rapid
" approaching the much.dcslrod
hour. Harles lay back la his chair
and stared medl,atlyely across his
private office In the direction of a
large and very handsome burmese
cabinet.
Harley's office was part Of an old
city residence. and his chambers ad
Joined his workroom. 50 that now,
noting that his table clock regis.
tered the hour OF Q. he pressed a bell
witch Summoned Times. his conf
dental secretary.
"well. inncs.. said Harley, looking
around. another uneventful day"
"well." replied Innes. laying card
upon the table. II was just coming In
with Il when you rang"
Paul Harley glanced az tho card.
"Slr Charles Ahlngdon.'- he read
aloud. staring rcfiectively nj his sec.
Rotary. THAT is the csseologlsif"
yes" answered Times. hut !
fancy he has retired from practice. =
All" murmured Harley. Il won.
der what he wants. I suppose I had
better see him. rs fancy that he and
I met casually some years ago IN
india. Ask him 20 GENE In. will
your
Innes retiring. there presently en-
tered MISUNDERSTANDING, elderly
gentleman upon whose ford face
rested an expression not unlike that
OF Embarrassment.
-Mr. Harley" no b-gan. II fee
somewhat III a, ease In cncroaehlng
upon your time. for am by nc
means sure that my case comes with
IN your particular province
"Sit down. Sir Charles" said Har
leg with quiet geninlity. ''ofticially
my working day Is ended: but IL moth
ms comes OF your visit beyond chat
u VIII have been very welcome. Cal
ertta. was Il not. where we last met7'
1T Was" replied Sir Charles. plac,
ing his hat and cane upon the table
and sitting down rather YEARLY IN
n big leather armchair which Harley
had pushed forward.
Sir Charles evidently was Cypress
ed by some secret trouble. thus Har,
icy unused silently. as. taking out a
Elm o. tobacco from cabinet beside
him. no began In lelsurely manner
to Load a briar.
Sir Charles slowly nodded his head.
and seemed IN somo measure 10 70.
cover confidence.
Briefly. then he said. Il believe
rny life Is In Danger
HIM" said Harley. replacing this
tin in tho cupboard ana striking a
match.
You are naturally anxious FOR ths
particulars. Sir Charles presently
resumed '-They bear. I regret TO
say. q close resemblance 70 the syrnp,
IONS OF a well.known form OF hal.
luclnation- In short. with ono exeep.
ton. they may practically all Be
classed under the head Of suFvcii-
ance."
Surveillance said Paul Harley,
You mean that you are moro or less
constantly foliowed7''
Il do
Anything clse7'
"one very notable thing. Mr.. Har.
ley. was actually assaulted less
than a week ago within sight OF my
Epyn house."
'Tn6eedi Tell me OF this" Paul
Harley became aware OK an awaken.
ing curiosity.
Il had been TO visit friend In the
relghborhood." Sir Charles contin.
ued, whom I am at present attend.
Ing professionally. altho I am actual.
~ retired. I was returning across