noon
This same Rolls Royce was now a source of some anxiety to Nicol Brinn , for its discovery by a passing labourer in the deserted barn seemed highly probable . However , he had matters of greater urgency to think about , not the least of these being the necessity of concealing his presence in the neighbourhood of Hillside . Perhaps his Sioux-like face reflected a spirit allied in some respects to that of the once great Indian tribe . His genius for taking cover , perfected upon many a big-game expedition , enabled him successfully to accomplish the feat ; so that , when the limousine , which he had watched go by during the morning , returned shortly after noon , the lack-lustre eyes were peering out through the bushes near the entrance to the drive . Instinct told him that the pretty girl with whom Ormuz Khan was deep in conversation could be none other than Phil Abingdon , but the identity of her companion he could not even guess . On the other hand , that this poisonously handsome Hindu , who bent forward so solicitously toward his charming travelling companion , was none other than the dreaded Fire-Tongue , he did not doubt . He returned to a strategic position which he had discovered during the night .