Fire-Tongue

was a disturbed one, and he had observed none of his customary precautions in coming from Doctor McMurdoch's house. He wondered if the surveillance which h

ents might have been watched almost uninterruptedly since

his knowledge of disguise, which was extensive, to believe that those mysterious persons who were interested in his movements remained unaware of the fac

h he had come to recognize as the note of danger. Practically there had been no development whatever in the investigation, and he was almost tempted

mpty fireplace, his foot restlessly tapping the fender. Again he heard the c

e his inner vision. He seemed to hear Nicol Brinn, startled from his reverie, excl

produced so singular an effect? For

tably back: "You are all perf

ds, frowning at the Burmese

rget her lightest words. How hopelessly her bewitching image intruded itself

nd Innes alone was on duty. He came in as Harley, placing his hat

rley, about an hour ago. He said

?" asked Paul Harley, wearily, g

ch in the matter, but that there were one or t

em to be s

n was a well-known figure in financial circles, an

"Is that the Commissioner's Office, New Scotland Yard? ... Paul Harley sp

ooked up at Innes. "Is ther

letters, M

call

N

u need not wait." A moment later, as his secreta

e inspector has gone? Perhaps you would ask him to ring m

ad from the typewritten pages before him. His

n of Raleigh House

he son of John Nicolas Brinn of the same city, founder of the firm of J. Nicolas Brinn, Incor

America. He has a reputation for eccentricity, has won numerous sporting events as a gentleman rider; was the first airman to fly over the Rockies;

Mr. Brinn, senior, in 1914, he inherited an enormous fortune and a preponderating influence in the B.U.E.S.C. He has never

y woman other than his mother throughout his career. Mrs. J. Nicolas Brinn is still living in Cincinnati, and there is s

ged in earnest conversation until ten minutes to three. The Rt. Hon. gentleman proceeded to the House of Commons and Mr. Brinn to an auction at Christie's. He bought two oil paintings. He then returned to his chambers and did not rea

the pages. Now from the cabinet at his elbow he took out his tin of tobacco and, filling and lig

ertheless a case of deliberate murder he was as firmly convinced as ever. Of the identity of the murderer, of his motive, he had not the haziest idea, but that the cloud which he had

what end? Inclination prompted him in one direction, common sense held hi

to force Br

gain, deep in thought, and

rview with

le, his telephone bell rang. The caller p

to the Yard, and they told me you had rung up. I don't know why you

of extensive means," he replied, "but hitherto h

the Ottoman banks. I presume his nationality is Persian, but I can't be sure of it. He periodically turns up in the various big capitals when international loans and that sort of thing are being negotiated. I understand that he has a flat somewhere in Paris, and the Service de Surete tells me that his name is good for several million francs over there. He appears to ha

istening eagerly. "Is that the ex

ope you'll find it useful, but I doubt it. He h

ill ever appear in your province, Wessex. My interest in him is of a

was uninteresting enough, but from another point of view it had awakened again that im

s to this man who apparently never left his private apartments (if the d

up his pencil, and to the note "Obtain interview w

morr