“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.

Her feelings, however, were largely compounded of fear, and fear strengthened her defense.  The repulsive part of Ormuz Khan’s character became more apparent to her than did the fascination which she had once experienced.  She distrusted him, distrusted him keenly.  She knew at the bottom of her heart that this had always been so, but she had suffered his attentions in much the same spirit as that which imbues the naturalist who studies the habits of a poisonous reptile.

She knew that she was playing with fire, and in this knowledge lay a dangerous pleasure.  She had the utmost faith in her own common sense, and was ambitious to fence with edged tools.

When at last the car was drawn up before the porch of Hillside, and Ormuz Khan, stepping out, assisted the ladies to alight, for one moment Phil Abingdon hesitated, although she knew that it was already too late to do so.  They were received by Mr. Rama Dass, his excellency’s courteous secretary, whom she had already met, and whom Ormuz Khan presented to Mrs. McMurdoch.  Almost immediately: 

“You have missed Mr. Harley by only a few minutes,” said Rama Dass.

“What!” exclaimed Phil, her eyes opening very widely.

“Oh, there is no occasion for alarm,” explained the secretary in his urbane manner.  “He has ventured as far as Lower Claybury station.  The visit was unavoidable.  He particularly requested that we should commence luncheon, but hoped to be back before we should have finished.”