"Taking a stroll, sir?" he asked.
Richard produced his hundred Gold Flake and bade the officer fill his helmet.
"Better help me out with a few or I shall be smoking all night," he said.
"In trouble, sir?"
"Broke," said Richard, "and I want your advice. I've had the devil of a good dinner with the last of my fortune and I'm looking for words of wisdom. In the first place, how about that bench?"
"The Rowton is better."
"Won't run to it."
"Not to be recommended, p'raps, but it's free to all," said the constable, nodding at the green seat which was already filling up for the night, with bundles of rags, voluminous overcoats and thin, shiny blue serges buttoned at the neck.
"I don't want to steal a march on the regular custom," observed Richard.
"It's first come hereabouts, but you'd better not leave it too late.
Anyway you'll get a shake-up when the four o'clock patrol comes on."