Anthony Lyveden

Produced by Al Haines
WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED
Library Editions of Anthony Lyveden
First Published . . 1921 Reprinted . . . . 1922 Reprinted . . . . 1923 Reprinted . . . . 1925 Reprinted . . . . 1928 Reprinted . . . . 1929 Reprinted . . . . 1932 Reprinted . . . . 1935 Reprinted . . . . 1939 Reprinted . . . . 1942 Reprinted . . . . 1943 Reprinted . . . . 1944 Reprinted . . . . 1945
Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London
whose high walls, if they could talk, would tell so many pretty tales.
Major Anthony Lyveden, D.S.O., was waiting.
For the second time in three minutes he glanced anxiously at his wrist and then thrust his hand impatiently into a pocket. When you have worn a wristwatch constantly for nearly six years, Time alone can accustom you to its absence. And at the present moment Major Lyveden's watch was being fitted with a new strap. The pawnbroker to whom he had sold it that morning for twenty-two shillings was no fool.
The ex-officer walked slowly on, glancing into the windows of shops. He wanted to know the time badly. Amid the shifting press of foot-passengers a little white dog stuck to his heels resolutely. The sudden sight of a clock-maker's on the opposite side of the thoroughfare proved magnetic. Pausing on the kerb to pick up the Sealyham, Lyveden crossed the street without more ado….
Twenty-one minutes past three.
Slowly he put down the terrier and turned eastward. It was clear that he was expecting something or somebody.
It was a hot June day, and out of the welter of din and rumble the cool plash of falling water came to his straining ears refreshingly. At once he considered the dog and, thankful for the distraction, stepped beneath the portico of a provision store and indicated the marble basin with a gesture of invitation.