The Recollections of Solar Pons

Начало книги

“Good afternoon, Doctor!”

“Good afternoon, Colonel!”

I had been enjoying an after-lunch walk in brilliant sunshine alongside the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens in perfect July weather when the robust tones of a familiar voice broke into my reverie. Though I had answered automatically and mechanically it took another split-second before I fully recognised Colonel Mortimer, a retired Army officer who was a former neighbour of mine when I lived in Chelsea for a brief period.

Mortimer was a striking figure, well above average height with a great hooked nose above his tobacco-stained cavalry moustache. But he always dressed impeccably and this afternoon he wore a startling off-white tropical suit with a pale blue tie and carried an elegant-looking Malacca cane. He fell in alongside me as I continued along the gravel walk and we were both silent for a moment, enjoying the extraordinarily beautiful weather. After a minute or two as we continued in silence, Colonel Mortimer shot a surreptitious glance at his watch.

Читать дальше →