‘You know,’ Jeremy said, ‘I can’t really imagine why we’re making such a thing of this. After all, what’s happened? You look at a derelict theatre. You fall into a fetid well from which you are extricated by the owner who is a multi-millionaire. You urge in your simple way the graces and excellence of the theatre. He wonders if, before he pulls it down, it might just be worth getting another opinion. He turns you over to one of his myrmidons. Where’s the need for all the agitation?’

‘I wonder if I should like M. Smythiman if I met him and if I shall take against S. Greenslade at first sight. Or he against me, of course.’

‘What the hell does that matter? You place far too much importance upon personal relationships. Look at the fatuous way you go on about your women. And then suspecting poor Mr Conducis of improper intentions when he never wants to look upon your like again!’

‘Do you suggest that I accept his gorgeous apparel?’ Peregrine asked on an incredulous note.

‘Certainly, I do. It would be rude and ungenerous and rather vulgar to return it with a po-faced note. The old boy wants to give you his brand new clobber because you mucked up your own in his dirty great well. You should take it and not slap him back as if he’d tried to tip you.’

‘If you had seen him you would not call him an old boy. He is the uncosiest human being I have ever encountered.’

‘Be that as it may, you’d better posh yourself up and wait upon S. Greenslade on the stroke of 11.30.’

Peregrine said, after a pause, ‘I shall do so, of course. He says nothing about the letter and glove, you observe.’

‘Nothing.’

‘I shall urge S. Greenslade to get it vetted at the V. and A.’

‘You jolly well do.’

‘Yes, I will. Well, Jer, as you say, why make a thing? If by some wild, rapturous falling-out of chance, I could do anything to save the life of The Dolphin I would count myself amply rewarded. But it will, of course, only be a rum little interlude and, in the meantime, here’s the latest batch of bills.’

‘At least,’ Jeremy said, ‘there won’t be a new one from your tailors for some time to come.’

II

Mr S. Greenslade was bald, pale, well-dressed and unremarkable. His office was quietly sumptuous and he was reached through a hinterland of equally conservative but impressive approaches. He now sat, with a file under his hand, a distinguished painting behind him, and before him, Peregrine, summoning all the techniques of the theatre in order to achieve relaxation.

‘Mr Jay,’ Mr Greenslade said, ‘you appreciate, of course, the fact that your meeting yesterday with Mr Conducis has led to this appointment.’

‘I suppose so. Yes.’