A cursory glance through the pages conveyed the suggestion that it contained more information about clocks than was worth acquiring or writing down.

There was a chapter on water clocks, to begin with: "Known to the Egyptians and the Holy Land." Barrant turned the leaves.

"The Ancient Chinese used a smouldering wick as timekeeper." Barrant shook his head impatiently.

"King Alfred's supposed device of measuring Time by Candles--a Myth." Would to heaven his invention of juries was a myth, too.

Scotland Yard would get on much better without them.