said Gerald.

‘Yes,’ said Birkin, ‘I don’t want to go to the theatre, or the music hall — you’d better come round to the flat, and see what you can make of Halliday and his crowd.’

‘Thanks — I should like to,’ laughed Gerald. ‘What are you doing tonight?’

‘I promised to meet Halliday at the Pompadour. It’s a bad place, but there is nowhere else.’

‘Where is it?’ asked Gerald.

‘Piccadilly Circus.’

‘Oh yes — well, shall I come round there?’

‘By all means, it might amuse you.’