内容简介：
In the dance halls of Camberwell, in the back streets of Peckham, in the residences on Denmark Hill, and even on the Rye itself, the comic and diabolic influence of Dougal Douglas is felt. It is felt by Humphrey Place, refrigerator enineer, who says "no" at the altar rail; Dixie Morse, typist, who has "no" said about going up and down in lifts: Miss Merle Coverdale, head of the typing pool, who feels that she is living a lie and whose life comes to a violent conclusion; Nelly Mahone, prophet, lapsed from her religion on religious grounds; and it is felt by Miss Belle Frierne, his landlady, who has known all Peckham in her youth.