HALFHYDE ORDERED SOUTH.

London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1979. 220 pp, 8vo (8 11/16" H). Sixth novel in the "Halfhyde" series. "Lieutenant St Vincent Halfhyde, RN, finds himself once again under the thumb of his old compatriot, the incoherent and blustering Captain Watkiss, on a diplomatic mission to Chile. Under the guise of a steaming party delivering an obsolete battleship, HMS Meridian, to the Chilean government, Watkiss and Halfhyde learn from the Foreign Office official representative that their real purpose is to safeguard British interests in South America threatened by aggressive action on the part of the Germans. Before setting out in the old ironclad, news arrives that a British Admiral has been detained in Valparaiso, and that the wily Vice-Admiral von Merkatz is steaming full ahead in that direction. The Meridian hastily leaves port in pursuit, but while she is still in British waters, Detective Inspector Todhunter from the Metropolitan Police is put aboard, and another task is added to Halfhyde's mission: to track down Todhunter's old enemy Sir Russell Savory, top civil servant turned traitor, who has escaped from prison and is suspected of being in league with von Merkatz. Halfhyde is the first to sight von Merkatz, soon after coaling at Madeira, and the race to Valparaiso is on." Faint cigarette odour, light wrinkling at top of spine, tiny soiling speck on fore-edge of textblock, minor edge rubbing. Dust jacket has light wrinkling at top of spine and rear flap-fold, light browning at top inside edge.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good.