7Early on the following afternoon a somewhat battered taxicab was waiting alongside the curb in Queen’s Road, a few yards from the corner of Bayswater Road. At the wheel sat Plug, very effectually disguised by a ragged chauffeur’s overcoat with collar turned up, and an ancient cap with the visor pulled down low. A good deal of the space between collar and visor was filled up by a large and excessively hairy moustache of British cut—or lack of cut. Plug’s flag was down to suggest that his fare was making purchases in one of the near-by shops; for cabs are not allowed to wait for fares in any but the appointed stands. His engine was running. Down Queen’s Road Allington and Millicent must come to reach Bayswater Road, and it was supposed that they would be looking for a taxi.
On the corner o
