Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-24
CHAPTER III.

H III aimlessly. With the sting of
 S the outer air the recollection of
 last nights adventure came back upon
 him. Since the hour of his waking it
 had hung about with vague per
 sistence, but now in the clear light of
 day 1t seemed to stand out with a full
 CT peculiarity.
 The thing was preposterous, never
 theless 1t was genuine. He was wear
 ing the overcoat he had worn the night
 before. and, acting on impulse, he thrust his hand into the pocket and drew out the strangers card.
 "Mr. John Loder!" He read the name over as he walked along, and 1t me- chanically repeated itself in his brain,
 falling into measure with his steps. Who was John Loder? What was he? The questions tantallzed him till his pace unconsciously increased. The thought that two men so absurdly alike could inhabit the same city and remain unknown to each other faced him as problem. It tangled with his personal worries and aggravated them. There seemed to be almost danger in such an extraordinary likeness. He be- gan to regret his impetuosity In thrust ing his card upon the man. Then, again. how he had let himself go on the subject of Lexington. How mar rowly he had escaped compromise. He turned hot and cold at the recollec- ton of what he had said and what he might have said. Then for the first time he paused in his walk and looked about him.
 On leaving Grosvenor square he had turned westward. moving rapidly till the Marble arch was reached. There. still oblivious to his surroundings. he had crossed the roadway to the Edg- ware road. passing along it to the labyrinth of shabby streets that lie be- hind Paddington. Now. as he glanced about him, he saw with some surprise how far he had come.
 The damp remnants of the fog still hung about the housetops in a filmy veil. There were no glimpses of green to break tho monotony of tone. All was quiet. dIngy. neglected. But 10 Chilcote the shabbiness was restful. the subdued atmosphere satisfaction Among these sad houses. these passers- by. each filled with his own concerns. he experienced a sense of respite and relief. Tn the fashionable streets that bounded his own horizon if q man paused in his wnlk 10 work out an idea he instantly drew a crowd of inquisi- tive or contemptuous eyes. Here If a man halted for half an hour it was no- body's brsiness but his own.
 Enjoying this thought. he wandered on for close upon an hour. moving from one street to another with steps that were lst!ess or rapid. as inclins- ton prompted. Then. still acting with aImlessness. he stopped in his and entered small eating house
 The place was Iow ceiled and dfry, the air hot and steaUing with the smell of food. but Chfleote passed the door and moved to one of the tables with ID expression Of dis gust and with far less furtive watch- fulaess thsn be used ia his own house By q curious mental tvf<t ke felt rreater freedoD. larger opportunities h drsh sgro1rdfnzs such as these thzn ia the brpc1 fssues and wsfehu of his ovn fife Choos- 'nx a corner sezs- he called for csfee. md there. protected by shadow snd wrapped fa cigarette suoke. he set sbozf izzrzf.e himself scme ragrnnf uzft rho haa slipped his uesxizu and was bzlsfuly adrfft
 Tse kEag,.atto4 was pleasanf wh1el