Atdtda24: All on a much bigger scale, 691-692

[Paul Nightingale]

More echoes. The previous section began with "Renfrew in a hectic mood, as
close to desperation as Lew could recall" (689). Here, Coombs De Bottle
"seem[s] a bit more tattered and fretful than last time" (691). Moreover, if
Lew is retracing his own steps, he is also following in those of others,
"... the tenth, or perhaps hundredth, person to ask me about carbonyl
chloride this week". At the end of the previous section he was left standing
by the GB, unable even to contemplate pursuit. However, CDB suggests Lew is
out of synch, his interest in the Gentleman Bomber misplaced, eg: "The
Metropolitans have fallen curiously silent about him ..." etc.

And then, "a single bomb-thrower" is small beer to the business of war;
Lew's sighting at Cambridge now appears a distraction (and one recalls that
'Gentleman' means 'amateur', ie one who is not professionally engaged).
Finally, it is CDB who might be asked to play catch-up. Lew has gone to him
for information; he ends by telling CDB to talk to the War Office (692).