k, at the latter's lodgings in Walcot Square, Kennington. He
arrived on a Saturday evening, just after eight o'clock. The house he
sought proved to be one of very modest appearance; small, apparently
not too clean, generally uninviting. But a decent-looking woman opened
the door, and said that Mr. Waymark would be found in response to a
knock at the first-floor front. The visitor made his way up the dark,
narrow stair-case, and knocked as bidden. A firm voice summoned him to
enter.

From a seat by a table which was placed as near as possible to a very
large fire rose a young man whose age might have been either
twenty-three or twenty-six. Most people would have inclined to give him
the latter figure. He was rather above the average stature, and showed
well-hung limbs, with a habit of holding himself which suggested
considerable toughness of sinews; he moved gracefully, and with head
well held up. His attire spoke sedentary habits; would have been
decidedly shabby, but for its evident adaptation to easy-chair and
fireside. The pure linen and general tone of cleanliness were
reassuring; the hand, too, which he extended, was soft, delicate, and
finely formed. The head was striking, strongly individual, set solidly
on a rather long and shapely neck; a fine forehead, irregular nose,
rather prominent jaw-bones, lips just a little sensual, but speaking
good-humour and intellectual character. A heavy moustache; no beard.
Eyes dark, keen, very capable of tenderness, but perhaps more often
shrewdly discerning or cynically speculative. One felt that the present
expression of genial friendliness was unfamiliar to the face, though it
by no means failed in pleasantness. The lips had the look of being
frequently gnawed in intense thought or strong feeling. In the cheeks
no healthy colour, but an extreme sallowness on all the features.
Smiling, he showed imperfect teeth. Altogether, a young man upon whom
one felt it difficult to pronounce in the earlier stages of
acquaintance; whose intimacy but few men would exert themselves to
seek; who in all likelihood was chary of exhibiting his true self save
when secure of being understood.

Julian Casti was timid with strangers; his eyes fell before the other's
look, and he shook hands without speaking. The contrast in mere
appearance between the two was very pronounced; both seemed in some
degree to be aware of it. Waymark seemed more rugged than in ordinary
companionship; the slightly effem