office was in Lincoln's Inn
Fields....

Some clock announced the hour--a quarter to four. The ex-officer
quickened his pace. Savile Row had to be visited, and Pall Mall. Most
important of all, a coupe had to be proved.... Anthony's heart beat
faster. The car was for Valerie.

As he left Kingsway behind, the gross belch of an 'Alarum' demanded
passage. Anthony fell to wondering whether his sweet would not prefer
some other usher. An 'Alarum' got there, of course; but it was
Rabelaisian. Perhaps ...

The sound of a collision between two pedestrians disturbed his musing.

It was nothing. Chin on shoulder, an errand-boy had collided with a
man in a silk hat. Anthony was so close to the latter he could have
touched him.

The boy muttered an apology, and the man laughed.

"My fault as much as yours," he said lazily, and passed on.

It was Dr. Heron.

Anthony reeled against the wall.

Observing his movement, two typists squeaked with pretended alarm, and
then, giving him a wide berth, lurched on, convulsed with mirth and
clutching one another.

To the poor woman who approached him and asked if he were ill, Anthony
at first said nothing at all. Then he replied dazedly that he was "all
right," and moved uncertainly away.

Arrived at the corner of Drury Lane, he hesitated, looking round
helplessly, as if he were not sure of his way. Immediately opposite, a
large efficient-looking ironmonger's shop presented a plain, well-kept,
_familiar_ face....

Anthony stared at it with a dropped jaw.

The errand-boy, who had found his demeanour promising, and had been
loitering in the hope of developments, took up a good position in the
gutter and fairly drank Lyveden in. Almost at once another of his
species joined him.

After a prolonged stare--

"Wot's 'e doin' of?" said the new-comer. "Sayin' 'is prares?"

The other sniggered.

The noise aroused Anthony. With an effort he straightened himself....
Then he walked unsteadily across the street and into the shop.

The manager came forward.

"Have those mattocks come in?"

For a second the man peered at him. Then--

"Oh, Major Lyveden, isn't it? Yes, sir. Six 'Lightnin'' mattocks, it
was. I sent you a card, sir, three weeks ago. I've got the six on one
side for you, sir."

"I'll take them now."

"Certainly, sir." He turned to an assistant and gave directions.
Then: "Excuse me, sir. Jim!"

A boy came at a run.

"Fetch me that envelope off