For
Roses and Mike
with love
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.