Chapter 21
LAWFORD COLLETT seldom, if ever, hired a taxicab. It was his boast that he walked twelve miles a day and if, in the course of his professional duties, he did not cover that space, he put in an extra two hours walking in the evenings. He had very nearly walked his allotted mileage by the night he came out of Mr. Coleman's house and walked at his leisure through Langham Place into Oxford Street, but in any circumstances he would not have ridden.
The thoroughfare was crowded, for the night was yet early, and he turned into Hanover Square, where the sidewalks were empty. Crossing the square, he came into a quiet street which ran parallel with Oxford Street and would lead him into Park Lane.
He strolled along at his leisure, hands in his pockets, a cigarette- holder clenched betwe
