Black As He Is Painted

The author’s warmest thanks are due to Sir Alister McIntosh, K.C.M.G., and P. J. Humphries, Esq., for their very kind advice on matters ambassadorial and linguistic.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Mr. Samuel Whipplestone: Foreign Office (Retired)

Lucy Lockett: A Cat

The Ambassador for Ng’ombwana in London

A lady, a young gentleman, a youth: Of Messrs. Able, Virtue & Sons, Land & Estate Agents

Chubb: House Servant

Mrs. Chubb: His Wife

A veterinary surgeon

Mr. Sheridan: No. 1A, Capricorn Walk (Basement Flat)

His Excellency Bartholomew Opala, C.B.E.: The Boomer. President of Ng’ombwana.

An A.D.C.

Mr. and Mrs. Pirelli: Of the Napoli, Shop-Keepers

colonel Cockburn-Montfort: Late of the Ng’ombwanan Army (Retired)

Mrs. Cockburn-Montfort: His Wife

Kenneth Sanskrit: Late of Ng’ombwana. Merchant.

Xenoclea Sanskrit: His Sister. Of the Piggie Potterie, 12, Capricorn Mews, S.W. 3.

A mlinzi: Spear-Carrier to the Boomer

Sir George Alleyn, K.C.M.G., etc. etc.

Roderick Alleyn: Superintendent, C.I.D. His Brother.

Troy Alleyn: Painter. His Wife.

Inspector Fox: C.I.D.

Sir James Curtis: The Celebrated Pathologist

Superintendent Gibson: Special Branch, C.I.D.

Jacks: A Talented Sergeant, C.I.D.

Detective-Sergeant Bailey: A Finger-Print Expert

Detective-Sergeant Thompson: Photographer

Sundry police, Ng’ombwanan embassy guests and servants, and frequenters of the Capricorns, S.W.3.