'Fire away, my boy.'
Lancelot produced his manuscript and cleared his throat. He began to read in a low, musical voice.
'DARKLING (A Threnody)
BY L. BASSINGTON MULLINER
(Copyright in all languages, including the Scandinavian)
(The dramatic, musical-comedy, and motion-picture rights of this Threnody are strictly reserved. Applications for these should be made to the author)'
'What is a Threnody?' asked Mr Briggs.
'This is,' said Lancelot.
He cleared his throat again and resumed.
'Black branches,