“Quite,” said Stokes, watching him closely.

In one long stride Brinn was through the doorway, telephone in hand!  Before Stokes had time to move, the door closed violently, in order, no doubt, to make it shut over the telephone cable which lay under it!

Detective Sergeant Stokes fell back, gazed wildly at the false books for a moment, and then, turning, leaped to the outer door.  It was locked!

In the meanwhile, Nicol Brinn, having secured the door which communicated with the study, walked out into the lobby where Hoskins was seated.  Hoskins stood up.

“The lady went, Hoskins?”

“She did, sir.”

Nicol Brinn withdrew the key from the door of the room in which Detective Sergeant Stokes was confined.  Stokes began banging wildly upon the panels from within.

“That row will continue,” Nicol Brinn said, coldly; “perhaps he will shout murder from one of the windows.  You have only to say you had no key.  I am going out now.  The light coat, Hoskins.”

Hoskins unemotionally handed coat, hat, and cane to his master and, opening the front door, stood aside.  The sound of a window being raised became audible from within the locked room.

“Probably,” added Nicol Brinn, “you will be arrested.”

“Very good, sir,” said Hoskins.  “Good-night, sir...”

CHAPTER XVII.  WHAT HAPPENED TO HARLEY

Some two hours after Paul Harley’s examination of Jones, the ex-parlourmaid, a shabby street hawker appeared in the Strand, bearing a tray containing copies of “Old Moore’s Almanac.”  He was an ugly-looking fellow with a split lip, and appeared to have neglected to shave for at least a week.  Nobody appeared to be particularly interested, and during his slow progression from Wellington Street to the Savoy Hotel he smoked cigarettes almost continuously.  Trade was far from brisk, and the vendor of prophecies filled in his spare time by opening car doors, for which menial service he collected one three-penny bit and several sixpences.

This commercial optimist was still haunting the courtyard of the hotel at a time when a very handsome limousine pulled up beside the curb and a sprucely attired Hindu stepped out.  One who had been in the apartments of Ormuz Khan must have recognized his excellency’s private secretary.  Turning to the chauffeur, a half-caste of some kind, and ignoring the presence of the prophet who had generously opened the door, “You will return at eight o’clock,” he said, speaking perfect and cultured English, “to take his excellency to High Claybury.  Make a note, now, as I shall be very busy, reminding me to call at Lower Claybury station for a parcel which will be awaiting me there.”

“Yes, sir,” replied the chauffeur, and he touched his cap as the Hindu walked into the hotel.

The salesman reclosed the door of the car, and spat reflectively upon the pavement.