Chapter 1
Francis Ledsam, alert, well-satisfied with himself and the
world, the echo of a little buzz of congratulations still in his
ears, paused on the steps of the modern Temple of Justice to light
a cigarette before calling for a taxi to take him to his club.
Visions of a whisky and soda— his throat was a little parched — and
a rubber of easy-going bridge at his favourite table, were already
before his eyes. A woman who had followed him from the Court
touched him on the shoulder.
“Can I speak to you for a moment, Mr. Ledsam?”
The barrister frowned slightly as he swung around to confront
his questioner. It was such a familiar form of address.
“What do you want?” he asked, a little curtly.
“A few minutes’ conversation with you,” was the calm reply. “The
matter is important.
