2 APRIL 1965, Page 19

Tan sorry I behaved as I did,' Raskolnikov began, feeling

so completely at ease now that he could not resist the desire to Null. 'I'm afraid I got a little excited.'

'Olt think nothing of it,' Porfiry replied, alnwsi gaily. 'Afraid I, too—must confess I have rather a beastly temper. So we'll meet again, won't we? Yes, indeed, I can't help feeling that we shall certainly see each other quite a loll' 'So that we shall get ,to know each other thoroughly?' Raskolnikov asked.

the criminal's, and the author's, unquestioning respect, he must be able to apply a hefty moral pressure. So Sherlock Holmes, for all his dark moods and need of an occasional fix, flourishes the moral yardstick of Scouting for Boys. Father Brown has the full support of the Roman Church. Even Marlow, lonely ascetic of Bay City, scorner of corrupt women and scourge of corrupt cops, appeared, at least to his creator, as a well- disguised Messiah. 'There is,' wrote Raymond