Thus, almost unmoving, he remained throughout the drive. His only
actions were, first, to assure himself that both doors were
locked again, and then at intervals tidily to place a little cone
of ash in the tray provided for the purpose. Finally, the car
drew up and a door was unlocked by the chauffeur.
Nicol Brinn, placing his hat upon his head, stepped out before
the porch of the Cavalry Club.
The chauffeur closed the door, and returned again to the wheel.
Immediately the car moved away. At the illuminated number Nicol
Brinn scarcely troubled to glance. Common sense told him that it
was not that under which the car was registered. His interest, on
the contrary, was entirely focussed upon a beautiful Rolls Royce,
which was evidently awaiting some visitor or member of the club.
Glancing shrewdly at the chauffeur, a smart, military-looking
fellow, Nicol Brinn drew a card from his waistcoat pocket, and
resting it upon a wing in the light of one of the lamps, wrote
something rapidly upon it in pencil.
Returning the pencil to his pocket:
"Whose car, my man?" he inquired of the chauffeur.
"Colonel Lord Wolverham's, sir."
"Good," said Nicol Brinn, and put the card and a ten-shilling
note into the man's hand. "Go right into the club and personally
give Colonel Lord Wolverham this card. Do you understand?"
The man understood. Used to discipline, he recognized the note of
command in the speaker's voice.
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