He has not reported to me so far to-night."
"You mean that he may be following him?" cried Wessex.
"It is quite possible--following either Nicol Brinn or the
woman."
"My God, I hope you're right!--even though it makes the Criminal
Investigation Department look a bit silly."
"Then," continued Innes, "there is something else which you
should know. I heard to-day from a garage, with which Mr. Harley
does business, that he hired a racing car last night. He has
often used it before. It met him half-way along Pall Mall at
seven o'clock, and he drove away in it in the direction of
Trafalgar Square."
"Alone?"
"Yes, unfortunately."
"Toward Trafalgar Square," murmured Wessex.
"Ah," said Innes, shaking his head, "that clue is of no
importance. Under the circumstances the chief would be much more
likely to head away from his objective than toward it."
"Quite," murmured Wessex. "I agree with you. But what's this?"
The telephone bell was ringing, and as Innes eagerly took up the
receiver:
"Yes, yes, Mr. Innes speaking," he said, quickly. "Is that you,
Rector?"
The voice of Rector, one of Paul Harley's assistants, answered
him over the wire:
"I am speaking from Victoria Station, Mr. Innes."
"Yes!" said Innes. "Go ahead."
"A very odd-looking woman visited Mr. Nicol Brinn's chambers this
evening. She was beautifully dressed, but wore the collar of her
fur coat turned up about her face, so that it was difficult to
see her.
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