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Page 87
"What!" cried Innes. "Stole a car?"
"Stole Lord Wolverham's car and calmly drove away in it. We have
failed to trace both car and man!" The detective inspector sighed
wearily. "Well, I suppose I must get along to the Yard. Stokes
has got the laugh on me this time."
Wearing a very gloomy expression, the detective inspector
proceeded on foot to New Scotland Yard, and being informed on his
arrival upstairs that the Assistant Commissioner was expecting
him, he entered the office of that great man.
The Assistant Commissioner, who had palpably seen military
service, was a big man with very tired eyes, and a quiet, almost
apologetic manner.
"Ah, Detective Inspector," he said, as Wessex entered. "I wanted
to see you about this business of Mr. Nicol Brinn."
"Yes, sir," replied Wessex; "naturally."
"Now," the Assistant Commissioner turned wearily in his chair,
and glanced up at his subordinate--"your accepting the parole of
a suspect, under the circumstances, was officially improper, but
I am not blaming you--I am not blaming you for a moment. Mr.
Nicol Brinn's well-known reputation justified your behaviour." He
laid one large hand firmly upon the table. "Mr. Nicol Brinn's
absence alters the matter entirely."
"I am well aware of it," murmured the inspector. "Although,"
continued the Assistant Commissioner, "Mr. Brinn's record leads
me to believe that he will have some suitable explanation to
offer, his behaviour, you will admit, is that of a guilty man?"
"It is, sir; it certainly is."
"The Press, fortunately, has learned nothing of this unpleasant
business, particularly unpleasant because it involves such
well-known people. You will see to it, Detective Inspector, that
all publicity is avoided if possible. Meanwhile, as a matter of
ordinary departmental routine, you will circulate Mr. Brinn's
description through the usual channels, and--" the Assistant
Commissioner raised his eyebrows slightly.
"You mean that?" asked Wessex.
"Certainly. He must be arrested by the first officer who
recognizes him."
"Very good, sir. I will move in the matter at once."
"Do so, please." The Assistant Commissioner sighed wearily, as
one of his telephones set up a muted buzzing. "That is all for
the moment, I think. Good morning."
Detective Inspector Wessex came out, quietly closing the door
behind him. He felt that he had been let down very lightly. But
nevertheless he was unpleasantly warm, and as he walked slowly
along the corridor he whistled softly, and:
"Arrest of Mr. Nicol Brinn," he muttered. "What a headline, if
they ever get it!"
CHAPTER XXVII. AT HILLSIDE
Phil Abingdon arrived at Hillside in a state of mind which she
found herself unable to understand. Mrs. McMurdoch, who had
accepted the invitation under protest, saying that if Doctor
McMurdoch had been at home he would certainly have disapproved,
had so utterly fallen under the strange spell of Ormuz Khan, that
long before they had come to Hillside she was hanging upon his
every word in a way which was almost pathetic to watch.
On the other hand, Phil Abingdon had taken up a definite attitude
of defense; and perceiving this, because of his uncanny
intuitiveness, the Persian had exerted himself to the utmost,
more often addressing Phil than her companion, and striving to
regain that mastery of her emotions which he had formerly
achieved, at least in part.
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