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           Thecrowdsurgedpastmeonthepavements,busyandchattering,andIenviedthepeopleforhavingsomethingtodo.Theseshop-girlsandclerksanddandiesandpolicemenhadsomeinterestinlifethatkeptthemgoing.Igavehalf-a-crowntoabeggarbecauseIsawhimyawn;hewasafellow-sufferer.AtOxfordCircusIlookedupintothespringskyandImadeavow.IwouldgivetheOldCountryanotherdaytofitmeintosomething;ifnothinghappened,IwouldtakethenextboatfortheCape.

           MyflatwasthefirstfloorinanewblockbehindLanghamPlace.Therewasacommonstaircase,withaporterandaliftmanattheentrance,buttherewasnorestaurantoranythingofthatsort,andeachflatwasquiteshutofffromtheothers.Ihateservantsonthepremises,soIhadafellowtolookaftermewhocameinbytheday.Hearrivedbeforeeighto’clockeverymorningandusedtodepartatseven,forIneverdinedathome.

           IwasjustfittingmykeyintothedoorwhenInoticedamanatmyelbow.Ihadnotseenhimapproach,andthesuddenappearancemademestart.Hewasaslimman,withashortbrownbeardandsmall,gimletyblueeyes.Irecognizedhimastheoccupantofaflatonthetopfloor,withwhomIhadpassedthetimeofdayonthestairs.

           “CanIspeaktoyou?”hesaid.“MayIcomeinforaminute?”Hewassteadyinghisvoicewithaneffort,andhishandwaspawingmyarm.

           Igotmydooropenandmotionedhimin.Nosoonerwasheoverthethresholdthanhemadeadashformybackroom,whereIusedtosmokeandwritemyletters.Thenheboltedback.