Wingate made his way from the City to Shaftesbury Avenue, where he entered a block of offices, studied the direction board on the wall for a few minutes, and finally took the lift to the fourth floor.

Exactly opposite to him across the uncarpeted corridor was a door from which half the varnish had peeled off, on which was painted in white letters--MR.

ANDREW SLATE.

A knock on the panel resulted in an immediate invitation to enter.

Wingate turned the handle, entered and closed the door behind him.