tion of his speech was
infectious, and the terrier began to pant. "Was there ever quite such
a fool? And before they knew where they were, the two were without the
gates. And there"--the voice became strained, and Lyveden
hesitated--"there were ... two paths ... going different ways. And by
each path was a notice-board. And one said NO DOGS ALLOWED. And the
other said NO FOOLS ALLOWED. And there were only the two paths. Patch
... going different ways...."

The approach of a peripatetic tax-collector brought the allegory to an
end.

Anthony paid for his occupation of the chair in silence, and the
collector plodded off at a tangent in the direction of his next quarry.
This appearing to be an old lady, he presently altered his course.
With a caution bred of experience, he would approach her from behind.

A convenient clock struck four, and Lyveden rose to his feet....

Two hours later he descended the area steps of a mansion in Lancaster
Gate.

The change in his appearance was quite remarkable. The grey suit, soft
hat, golf collar and brown shoes, which he had worn in the afternoon,
had been put off. In their stead Lyveden was wearing a bowler hat,
black boots, a single collar, which stood up uncomfortably all the way
round his neck, and a dark blue suit. The latter was clean and had
been carefully brushed, but it was manifestly old. Besides, it was
obvious that the man who made them had meant the trousers to be worn
turned up. Their owner's present disregard of such intention argued
his humble respectability.

Arrived at the foot of the steps, Anthony thrust a relieving finger
between his throat and the collar for the last time, raised his eyes to
heaven, and rang the bell.

After a moment or two the door was opened by a fair-haired girl in a
print dress. Her sleeves were rolled up, and her hands and arms
dripping.

"Afternoon, miss," said Lyveden. He was determined to do the thing
properly. "Your lady still wanting a footman?"

The girl stared at him. Then--

"I dunno," she said. "Better come in, an' I'll see."

Anthony thanked her and entered. She shut the door and flung down the
passage and out of sight. A second later a momentary burst of chatter
suggested that she had opened the door of the servants' hall.

For a minute or two nothing happened, and Lyveden stood in the passage
with his hat in his hand, wondering whether his engagement was to rest
with the butler. Then a door opene