"This is an anniversary.

The waiting almost makes one wish the frightful thing would happen once and for all." And even as she spoke, a sudden rending cry broke the stillness.

From low down on the pavement of the dim street (it was already twilight) a voice cried out with a raucous and merciless distinctness: "Major Brown, Major Brown, where does the jackal dwell ?" Brown was decisive and silent in action.

He strode to the front door and looked out.

There was no sign of life in the blue gloaming of the street, where one or two lamps were beginning to light their lemon sparks.