ng something to do. These shop-girls and
clerks and dandies and policemen had some interest in life that kept
them going. I gave half-a-crown to a beggar because I saw him yawn; he
was a fellow-sufferer. At Oxford Circus I looked up into the spring
sky and I made a vow. I would give the Old Country another day to fit
me into something; if nothing happened, I would take the next boat for
the Cape.

My flat was the first floor in a new block behind Langham Place. There
was a common staircase, with a porter and a liftman at the entrance,
but there was no restaurant or anything of that sort, and each flat was
quite shut off from the others. I hate servants on the premises, so I
had a fellow to look after me who came in by the day. He arrived
before eight o'clock every morning and used to depart at seven, for I
never dined at home.

I was just fitting my key into the door when I noticed a man at my
elbow. I had not seen him approach, and the sudden appearance made me
start. He was a slim man, with a short brown beard and small, gimlety
blue eyes. I recognized him as the occupant of a flat on the top
floor, with whom I had passed the time of day on the stairs.

'Can I speak to you?' he said. 'May I come in for a minute?' He was
steadying his voice with an effort, and his hand was pawing my arm.

I got my door open and motioned him in. No sooner was he over the
threshold than he made a dash for my back room, where I used to smoke
and write my letters. Then he bolted back.

'Is the door locked?' he asked feverishly, and he fastened the chain
with his own hand.

'I'm very sorry,' he said humbly. 'It's a mighty liberty, but you
looked the kind of man who would understand. I've had you in my mind
all this week when things got troublesome. Say, will you do me a good
turn?'

'I'll listen to you,' I said. 'That's all I'll promise.' I was
getting worried by the antics of this nervous little chap.

There was a tray of drinks on a table beside him, from which he filled
himself a stiff whisky-and-soda. He drank it off in three gulps, and
cracked the glass as he set it down.

'Pardon,' he said, 'I'm a bit rattled tonight. You see, I happen at
this moment to be dead.'

I sat down in an armchair and lit my pipe.

'What does it feel like?' I asked. I was pretty certain that I had to
deal with a madman.

A smile flickered over his drawn face. 'I'm not mad--yet. Say, Sir,
I've been watching you, and I re